Columbia mayor and city council candidates clash in debate

Columbia mayor and city council candidates squared off in a debate Monday night at Battle High School ahead of the municipal election in April.

Mayor candidates Brian Treece and Skip Walther were the first to the podium. A panel asked the two several questions ranging from economic development, infrastructure, city growth and roll cart trash bins.

Treece stated the biggest difference between him and Walther were their different views on how to manage Columbia’s growth and infrastructure. When asked how they would vote on the roll-cart issue supporting a six-month ban, Treece indicated he would vote yes, and Walther said no.

The topic of increasing downtown development then lead to Walther’s campaign finance donations. So far the lawyer has raised a little more than $50,000 from more than 330 contributors.

Walther claims only a small portion of those are from developers.

“I didn’t solicit his contribution and he asked if he could contribute to my campaign,” he said. “I believe that speaks to my professionalism and my ethics when somebody on the other side of business transaction looks at my records and my accomplishments and has chosen to benefit me with a campaign contribution.”

“I mean he’s accepted more than 12,000 dollars from downtown special interests,” said Treece. “If he was my attorney negotiating the best deal for me, I’d be very upset if he accepted a $1,000 contribution from the opposing party.”

The debate between third and fourth ward city council candidates proved to be more heated.

Current 4th Ward council member Ian Thomas used his opening statement bashing opponent, a former council member, Daryl Dudley for an apparent telephone push poll going around to residents.

“Which falsely labeled me as an illegally hired consultant and deliberately misstated my position on many import issues in an effort to mislead voters.

Dudley claimed he didn’t know anything about the phone calls.

“I asked my campaign committee, nobody knows where it comes from,” he said. “Somebody is doing it. Not me, not anybody with me.”

Toward the end of the debate, one panel member directed a question to 3rd Ward city council candidate Tom Leuther regarding a YouTube video where he’s featured seemingly criticizing the LGBT community.

Leuther argued the video was taken out of context.

“I’m not auditioning to be the pastor of Columbia,” he said. “I’m running for city council. What does that have to do with city council?”