I attended the debate last night and thought both candidates did well.  Here is some of the coverage:

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2011/03/16/mayoral-candidates-respond-to-local-financial-social-issues

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/politics-and-government/2011-03-16/budget-incumbents-record-themes-champaign-mayoral-debate.htm

Live Blog (Patrick Wade): http://www.news-gazette.com/blogs/voice-vote/2011-03/live-blog-champaign-mayoral-debate.html

http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/well_there_was_a_debate/

Raw Audio: http://will.illinois.edu/news/story/mayoraldebate110316/

When Mayor Schweighart was not reminding everyone about his accomplishments over the last 12+ years, he was expressing doubt that Don Gerard could perform all the duties of the Mayor and still keep is full time job:

Q: Should the mayor keep a full-time position, rather than what is currently a part-time position?

A: (Don Gerard) It doesn’t seem to me that having a full-time job and another full-time job is that big of a deal in this day and age. There are people in our community who work two and three jobs just to put food on the table. I’m talking about having a second job, because I want to serve this community.

I find this very interesting.  Should the voters only choose retirees for Mayor?  What if Deb Feinen, Tom Bruno, or Karen Foster wanted to run for Mayor down the road?   Can they only do it if they give up their day job?   On the other hand, Don Gerard has been indicating throughout this campaign that he wants the mayor to be more active in the community, more active in economic development, and actively represent the city in Springfield...when not performing the role of liquor commissioner.   It seems that many of these duties would need to be performed during typical work hours.   Don Gerard seems to appreciate the commitment and indicated it would be a second full-time job.  My feeling is that if it a full-time (and it sounds like it is), why not just make it a paid full-time position? 

Mayor Schweighart is a very hard worker and attends countless meetings and events.   Don Gerard appears willing to do the work and commit the time necessary to be an effective mayor.   I don't think city statute requires that a Mayor show up for work.   I doubt we'll have the audit the phone records of either candidate in the future.   That is a good thing. 

The one other thing that caught my attention at the debate was the suggestion to ban cell phone use while walking in campustown.  Imagine driving through campustown and not seeing people talk on cell phones.  Nope.  I can't imagine it.  Mayor Schweighart on the idea of a handheld cell phone ban, "I'd also take it a step farther and ban it while you're walking".   Just before that, Don Gerard mentioned he'd feel safer if there was a handheld ban in place for drivers. 

Also, Don Gerard mentioned HalfwayInteresting.com and referenced Chapin Rose's Budget Plan.  I guess the logic is that if Chapin Rose wants to refinance debt at a lower rates, why shouldn't the city consider doing that same.  This was in reference to the pension obligation bond discussion.

Did you attend the debate?   What stood out to you?   Did you talk to someone who attended?   What was their impression?

The Junior League and ChambanaMoms.com did a great job!