There were no fireworks, no jabs, no last-minute broadsides at the final mayoral debate Tuesday night.
In fact it was a short and sweet event, with mayor Cam Guthrie reiterating his emphasis on a safe city and what he has accomplished over his first term as mayor and Aggie Mlynarz stressing the need to address the mental health problems of the city in a cohesive manner.
Tuesday's event was hosted by the Old University Neighbourhood Resident's Association and included a 30-minute session with the council candidates for Ward, Leanne Piper, Cathy Downer and Alex Green.
Candidates stuck around after the formal part to mingle with the roughly 75 people who attended.
Both offered introductory remarks, then each took a few specific questions from the moderator. No rebuttals, no accusations and nothing personal.
The whole event took 35 minutes.
"We've had a lot of opportunities to come together to talk about our city and we must always strive to do better," Guthrie said. But there's no doubt we're already on the right track."
Residents, business owners and community partners all agree that Guelph is a wonderful place to build a life and be a part of our community, he said.
"But the reality is that the work at city hall never ends," Guthrie said, listing concerns ranging from parking to mental health issues.
He reiterated his platform of increased funds for policing, increased investment in community assets like the new library and South End Community Centre and addressing mental health issues.
In her opening remarks, Mlynarz said the city has to "heal" its relationships with developers.
"My biggest concern right now is that if we do have to raise property taxes, if they are as high as where they are, are we being delivered the services we deserve for them? For me, we don't have the level of services," she said.
Inequality, she said, is the biggest threat to democracy.
Mlynarz also said the city needs to "heal" the relationship it has with developers and that citizens feel like they have been "pitted against" developers.
"That relationship has been fractured. That relationship needs to be worked on, we need to heal and we need to find a balance," she said.
Guthrie detailed some of the work he said has been accomplished over the last term under his watch, including financial transparency, tax fairness for multi-residential and condo waste pickup, initiating service reviews, dedicated funding for infrastructure and avoiding the District Energy "fiasco" that would have cost the city $60 million.
He pointed out his position on the Large Urban Mayor Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) and how lobbying and communicating with the provincial and federal governments is key in getting the funding and programs the city needs.
Mlynarz was asked about Homecoming, a big issue for Ward 5 residents, and she detailed her preference that Homecoming be a one-stop festival like Hillside or Oktoverfest to help erase the house parties and the Chancellor's Way party that are the focus of the issues.
Asked about attracting more industry, Guthrie said marketing the city on the innovation corridor between Kitchener and Toronto is important, as well as continuing to make city hall a "welcoming culture" for those looking to set up business here.
"A long time ago ... Guelph was known as a difficult place to do business," Guthrie said, adding that the goal at city hall is now "get to yes" when dealing with those looking to bring business and jobs here.
The election is on Monday, Oct. 22.
