Charlottetown's mayoral candidates had their first face-to-face debate Wednesday, but it lacked the fireworks many expected.
Former city mayor Ian (Tex) MacDonald has called into question Mayor Clifford Lee's leadership skills. And he's described Lee's spending as irresponsible. But Lee hasn't fired back.
During the debate, the closest Lee and MacDonald came to a fight was over city spending.
If he's elected, MacDonald said he'll make paying down the debt his No. 1 priority.
"My immediate debt-reduction act would be to ask council to endorse any and all surpluses over the next four years to be paid directly over the debt outstanding," he said.
Lee contends that he has been fiscally responsible over the last three years as mayor of Charlottetown.
"Sometimes debt is necessary, if a city wants to see growth," Lee said.
He called debt an "investment in the community."
"I think, ladies and gentlemen, we really have to start to worry when your city is not prepared to invest in its future," Lee said.
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