The six at-large candidates for Muncie's City Council discussed topics that ranged from monetary funds to the civility it takes to maintain a public office.
The candidates met in a public forum Tuesday at Muncie Northside Middle School. The Muncie-Delaware County League of Women Voters and the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum in a joint effort.
Kathie Onieal, Murray Bartholome and Gavin Greene represented the Republican ticket. All of the candidates are pursuing their first elected positions. Incumbents Linda Gregory and Alison Quirk and newcomer Nora Powell are the Democratic candidates on the ballot.
The candidates each had the opportunity to answer 12 questions. The candidates each concluded the forum with a closing statement.
Questions asked during the forum ranged in topic from local government proceedings to government spending. A frequent subject of discussion was the civility required to hold a public office.
"It was interesting that civility rose to the top," Gregory said, "Maybe it wasn't such a surprise considering that this Council began its term very rocky. I think that as a council, we have done well. It is good though that the community is holding it to us to be civil."
All candidates mentioned after the forum that they are interested in encouraging Ball State students to take interest in local government. Powell said students may not think about how the decisions of the local government impact students lives, particularly whenever they go on city roads and shop at local stores and restaurants.
Ball State urban planning major Alyson Donica, who attended the forum for her Honors 199 course, thought it was interesting to learn about the candidates in a new way.
"It was interesting getting to know the candidates," she said, "I think that for a lot students living on campus, their understanding of the candidates comes from what their campaign signs look like. It was interesting getting to know them on a more personal level."
The Muncie municipal election is set for Nov. 8.
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