Style vs. substance at final Brockton mayoral debate

In he final Brockton mayoral debate, Mayor James E. Harrington and challenger Linda Balzotti disagree over who is most capable of making the tough decisions. Read more in the following article by By Kyle Alspach, Enterprise staff writer,

BROCKTON — Whatever people think about his firm style, Mayor James E. Harrington said his record over the past four years should matter most to voters at Tuesday’s election.
“I think style is something that’s nice to talk about, but substance is a lot more important,” Harrington said during the final mayoral debate Wednesday.
“My style has created substance, it’s got results, and we’ve been able to solve problems,” he said.
The challenger, Councilor-at-large Linda Balzotti, contended that she has a more open style that would better serve the city.
“I think we need real collaboration in the city, and not decisions made without listening to the residents of Brockton,” Balzotti said.
The candidates clashed over a wide range off issues during the 90-minute debate at Massasoit Community College’s Buckley Performing Arts Center, before a crowd of 75.
Topics included the controversial school superintendent search, the city’s embattled redevelopment agency and how to deal with budget shortfalls.
But the common thread of the debate was a disagreement over what matters most to the office of the mayor — style or substance.
Harrington said he has balanced the budget every year amid millions of dollars in budget cuts, helped to bring in new businesses and put together a detailed plan for the city’s future.
Repeatedly, he pushed Balzotti to give specifics on her plan and seemed frustrated to hear her say that her main goal was to “work collaboratively” with city officials and residents.
“People have to know specifically what you would do,” Harrington said, before adding moments later, “I guess what your plan is, is to continue what I’m doing.”
Balzotti responded by acknowledging that some of the initiatives may be “things you have already started.”
“But the difference between the two of us is the fact that I am working with the people,” she said. “I have a communication and style of working with the people that’s different.”
On the city’s redevelopment agency, Building a Better Brockton Inc., Balzotti said Harrington should have made sure the City Council knew about a federal audit that was critical of the agency’s financial controls, staffing levels and other issues.
Harrington responded by saying the city receives scores of audits and could not possibly present them all.
“When it says in the report that $21 million is in jeopardy ... that’s not just an audit,” Balzotti said, referring to the chance that federal redevelopment funds will be withheld unless the audit’s issues are resolved.
On the budget, Harrington said Balzotti has a limited financial background and has shown no aptitude for making budget decisions.
“To be honest with you, during the budget, every single city councilor but you came in and made suggestions,” he said.
On last spring's search for a new superintendent, Balzotti said Harrington should have voted to break a tie when the School Committee was deadlocked between two candidates -- longtime city administrator Kathy Smith and Swampscott Superintendent Matt Malone -- instead of letting the committee vote again, leading to the choice of a non-Brockton candidate.
“I wouldn’t have walked away from that vote,” Balzotti said.
But Harrington disclosed that he would have voted, initially, for a third candidate, Brockton administrator John Jerome, and then for Malone. So if he had cast a vote to break the tie, it “wouldn’t have made any difference” in the outcome, he said. Harrington said that, in the end, the right person got the job.
The debate will be rebroadcast later in the week on Brockton Community Access, Channel 12. It was sponsored by The Enterprise, WXBR-1460 AM and Massasoit Community College.
The debate was likely the last of Harrington’s political career, which spanned 16 years on the City Council and two terms as mayor. Harrington has said this will be his last term if he is elected.
Meanwhile, Balzotti, who has served 12 years on the council, would become the city’s first female mayor if she wins Tuesday’s election.
Balzotti topped the ballot in the September preliminary election with roughly 56 percent of the vote. Harrington took about 35 percent.
But Harrington has predicted that a higher voter turnout on Tuesday will affect the outcome. Just 13 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the preliminary election.
Source: http://www.enterprisenews.com/your_vote/x876590532/Style-vs-substance-at-final-Brockton-mayoral-debate