The only declared candidate for Ward 3 in the Brantford municipal election squared off with the two sitting councillors as the series of ward debates hosted by the Brant Taxpayers Coalition continued on Wednesday.

Meeting at the Station Coffee House and Gallery at noon, candidate Debi Dignan-Rumble, Coun. Greg Martin and Coun. Dan McCreary all expressed concerns when moderator Andy Woodburn asked about the current discord among city councillors.

“This council has had a hard time working together,” Dignan-Rumble said. “Constituents are very concerned that the bickering is a waste of time and money.”

McCreary and Martin both lamented going through the last year and a half when they said council has not been getting along.

“People forgot it was a four-year term for the first time,” Martin said. “Silly season started a year early. I’m hoping to see some changes on council to get past that.”

McCreary cautioned voters to look very carefully at whom they intended to cast a ballot for.

“Especially when you pick the next mayor,” he said. “We will need a mayor who can build a consensus on council and not rule by majority.”

When it came to discussion about economic development, all three candidates felt the city needed to do a better job.

“Our department is too focused on selling industrial land,” Martin said. “We have empty buildings all over town we should be trying to repurpose.”

Dignan-Rumble and McCreary both said the city must work on attracting jobs in better collaboration with the municipality’s neighbours.

“Jobs don’t know borders,” McCreary said.

There was also a question about the south side of Colborne Street.

McCreary and Martin re-iterated their previous objections to the demolition project, but Dignan-Rumble said during her canvassing she had found most people were glad to see the buildings go.

“But they are not happy with the process,” she said. “The push, push, push to get something done is all on their dime.”

It will be a more crowded event next Wednesday at the Ward 2 debate, when moderator Woodburn said he hoped all six declared candidates and incumbent Coun. Vince Bucci would show up.

The series will then continue on July 21 with Ward 1 candidates before Woodburn expected a week-long break before a mayoral debate tentatively scheduled for July 28.

The mayoral candidates will be split into two groups for back-to-back debates at the Knights of Columbus hall.