SACO — The two candidates running for mayor ”“ Mark Johnston and Jeff Christenbury ”“ spoke about their priorities and fielded other questions at a candidates forum Monday night.

The forum, sponsored by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held at the train station.

Johnston, 59, is no stranger to local politics, having served 12 years as mayor and one term as city councilor.

“Politics is in my blood,” said Johnston.

Johnston’s son, Nathan, is running for city councilor. When asked if there would be a conflict of interest if both served on the council, he said that Nathan was his “most independent child.”

“To think that I will have an influence over his opinion making, I can assure you, you don’t know my son,” he said.

Christenbury, 26, served about 18 months as a city councilor, having to cut his term short when he moved to a different ward.

“What I’m looking to do in Saco is bring a fresh voice to city hall,” said Christenbury.

The candidates were asked what their priorities would be if elected mayor.

“The top priority of a mayor in this economic climate has to be the budget,” said Christenbury.

He said this past budget season, he was “pretty scared” to see some of the proposed cuts, such as library funding. He said the city needs to be creative, as it has used up much of its savings. Christenbury said he is a fiscal conservative and does not like raising taxes. It will be very tough to keep taxes level, he said, and the budget will have to be looked at line by line.

“We have to look at everything,” said Christenbury.

Johnston said when he left office, the city had a $5 million surplus.

If he is elected, there will be a tax increase, he said.

“How much economic development do you think Saco will have if we cut taxes or keep taxes where they are?” he said.

Johnston said that he wanted to be able to keep services, and wanted to know that if he needed police or rescue services at his house, they would be there.

“I think we all understand, in order to have the services, you need to pay (for them),” he said.

Johnston said the city needs to look at reasonable and realistic economic expansion, and “not just take anything that comes down the road.”

Both said education is important, but had opposing views on the Regional School Unit.

Christenbury said he didn’t think the RSU has benefited Saco, he didn’t see any plans for long-term savings and said there is still overstaffing in Old Orchard Beach.

“As mayor, I certainly will be keeping in touch with the RSU, making sure Saco is getting a fair shake,” he said.

Johnston spoke favorably of the RSU, and said teachers have said it has given great opportunities to students. He said what has been accomplished in three years is amazing and it will take time to see its full potential.

Christenbury said the city should look “outside the box” for economic development opportunities, citing Monkey Trunks, the new ropes course on Cascade Road, as an example. He said downtown businesses may want to consider staying open later, and promoting themselves with smart phone applications.

Johnston said Saco was very fortunate to have an economic development director and the city has the infrastructure in place and will be ready when the economy improves. Biddeford-Saco and Old Orchard Beach each need to promote the industrial parks in all three municipalities, he said.

When talking about the wind turbine on Saco Island, which was purchased when Johnston was mayor, the two candidates had opposing views.

Christenbury said the windmill was a good idea in principle, but it should be moved to a different location, perhaps a wind farm where it can generate more electricity. The electric car, he said, the city sold for “cents on the dollar.” Christenbury said the city needs to focus on other green projects that have been proven successful, like expanding the LED lights on Main Street.

“I think there is a difference between reputation and results,” said Christenbury. The city had a reputation for being green, but he hasn’t seen results in all the projects.

“It’s a beautiful icon for the community,” said Johnston, of the wind turbine. Johnston said it shows the city is looking toward the future. He said the  windmill is generating electricity, but not as much as anticipated. He had wanted a taller wind turbine, he said, but the council had thought it was too expensive. Johnston said he has talked to Kevin Mattson of Island Point Development and the windmill will likely be moved to a better location. Johnston said if he had still been mayor, the city would still have the electric car. He said he drove the car as mayor and liked it.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.