Sumner mayoral candidates Dave Enslow and Matt Richardson expressed contrasting opinions on almost every issue during a Thursday debate in Sumner’s Performing Arts Center.

The debate was sponsored by The Courier-Herald.

One of the most contentious issues during this campaign is the decision by the Sumner City Council to designate a portion of land in North Sumner as a Manufacturing/Industrial Center.

The candidates opposed each other early regarding the relationship between the mayor position and the council, in the city and the decisions affecting it.

“When this proposal was brought to our attention at a study session it became very apparent that not only the mayor was proposing this but the staff was following that proposal,” said Richardson, currently a member of the Sumner City Council.

Richardson made a direct link from the favor the council had for the proposal and the mayor’s power.

“The mayor controls the staff,” Richardson said.

He said staff and the mayor are giving the “glass half-full” version of the designation. The reality, he contested, would lead to more construction in Sumner.

“Under the GMA we are required to meet certain density,” he said.

Enslow, the sitting mayor, did not share Richardson’s view of the effect the designation would have on Sumner.

“Mr. Richardson and I must be reading from different books,” Enslow said.

Enslow said the zoning in place in the MIC area does not change with the designation.

Enslow said the mayor does not have the power to control the council and any decision made is up to the council members themselves.

“The zoning and land use is set by the council,” he said.

“The MIC is not about zoning, it’s not about land use, it’s about having access to federal funds,” Enslow said.

Richardson rebutted, “It’s too often related to money and income.”

Enslow stated Richardson’s account of the MIC’s effect on Sumner is not accurate.

“The truth is not what I just heard,” Enslow said.

“There are so many outside pressures to change us into something we don’t want to be,” Richardson said.

A view shared by both candidates is that growth in town needs be consistent with Sumner’s image.

Enslow said during his years as mayor, Sumner has grown steadily at a rate of 1 percent each year.

On the issue of I-1033, an initiative which would limit revenues and put the excess funds toward reducing property taxes, the candidates agreed, stating it would make it more difficult for Sumner to maintain services and to plan for a rainy day.

Parking, a concern among many in Sumner, was a divisive issue between the candidates.

“I don’t know quite yet what the resolution is because I want to hear from all of you folks,” Enslow said.

Enslow’s time on the Sound Transit Board was spent in support of a five-story parking garage inSumner, Richardson argued.

A question about continuing Sumner operations during a recession led Richardson to state any rumors of him lacking the finance experience for Sumner are unfounded, as the state mandates cities to have a balanced budget.

“Balancing the budget has been a real art form,” Enslow said.

He said Sumner has been creative with ways to balance the budget, but he would like to find a way to bring the hanging basket program back to Sumner if elected for another term.

Richardson turned this around in his rebuttal and said it was his opinion the hanging basket program should be included in the budget and not removed. Enslow said if Richardson wanted to keep the baskets in the budget he only needed to introduce an amendment into the budget and if approved, the baskets would stay.

The two disagreed on the agreement with the Port of Tacoma, in which the port will support Sumner in seeking funding.

Richardson believes Sumner is successful on its own without needing to join with larger entities to achieve its goals.

Enslow said it’s beneficial for groups to work together.

“Cooperating with your neighbors is good,” he said. “When you have a city of 9,000 it’s even better.”

Regarding flooding, which threatens many Sumner residents as well as some of the city’s facilities, Enslow said dredging is a vital solution and one which the council is working toward.

Richardson lauded his work with a regional river task force, which he said is an effort to put a solution in action sooner.

“The timeframe for the Pierce County Executive Task Force was seven years,” Richardson said.

Enslow said if more dredging could be done now, it would be done, but environmental protection puts restrictions on what the city may do.

In the candidates’ closing statements, Richardson emphasized his vision of Sumner as a city where families can grow and thrive.

“It’s time to return the mayor’s office to the people of Sumner,” he said.

Enslow noted achievements of which he’s proud, including the fire department merger, which saves Sumner money while providing services, and highlighted his endorsements, which include five members of Sumner City Council.