WESTBROOK – Westbrook’s mayoral debate Tuesday spotlighted the city’s key issues, as the three candidates attempted to display the leadership and personality they plan to bring to the job if elected, as well as their visions for how Westbrook can prosper in years to come.

Two-term Democratic incumbent Colleen Hilton, Republican Ernest Porell and unenrolled candidate James Tranchemontagne weaved through tough questions provided by the Westbrook High School Student Council and the Westbrook-Gorham Community Chamber.

Each candidate attempted to lay out a specific vision for the city during prepared opening and closing statements.

“I see a future of safer streets and less drug dependence,” Porell said during his opening statement. “And a future of bustling businesses instead of bumbling bureaucrats.”

“I see a path that will lower taxes, make us competitive, and generate revenue to make up for the tax cuts I’m offering,” said Tranchemontagne.

“We are the envy of a lot of communities,” Hilton said during her closing statement. “Yes, we have some things we need to work on, but I think I’ve proven to be a positive leader.”

With a few hundred people seated throughout the 1,000-capacity

Westbrook Performing Arts Center, Ray Richardson of WLOB radio and WPME TV served as debate moderator.

The questions kept a sharp focus on each candidate’s vision. Richardson asked questions about Maine’s key issues, which directly impact Westbrook, such as tax rates, education, and economic development.

“What would you say to young people that once they’ve gone to college, why should they come home and build their lives in Westbrook?” he asked the candidates.

“With high taxes right now, it’s not very welcoming to come back here,” said Tranchemontange. “We need to vote for people who are going to change that.”

“This is exactly why I’m running for mayor,” said Porell. “I want Westbrook to be prosperous in the future. We need to sustain and grow it so that it’s an attractive place to come back to.”

Hilton offered a different take, saying that Westbrook is already a place that is welcoming to come back to.

Throughout the debate, she reminded residents that she chose to come back to Westbrook, has a deep family history here, and believes that Westbrook can provide rich business opportunities for young people.

“I always tell my children to think globally and act locally,” she said. “You can make a difference in the community, and we’ve seen young people make a difference.”

Lowering Westbrook’s tax rate has been a major part of Tranchemontange’s campaign platform, and was the subject of a question provided by Westbrook High School Student Council member Rachel Lloyd. She asked how Tranchemontange planned to lower the tax rate to his goal of $14.96 per $1,000 valuation from the current $17.20 rate, which would necessitate roughly $4 million in budget cuts.

“It can be done,” he said. “By lowering our tax rate, we will encourage business right away. At some point we have to say that our spending doesn’t justify coming back to you and taking more and more of your tax dollars.”

Westbrook High seniors Sabrina Gattine, Jordan Gattine, Julianne McLaughlin and Morgan Rielly also prepared questions for the candidates, with some directed toward a single candidate, and others for all to answer.

Questions ranged from how each candidate would approach heightening student achievement, to making Westbrook more business friendly.

Porell used many questions throughout the evening to showcase his plan for revitalizing Westbrook’s downtown Main Street. He said he believes that the city isn’t capitalizing on traffic through Westbrook that can create valuable revenue for local businesses.

Porell said he will look to small investments in signage, advertising and parking to help businesses on Main Street.

“Its not big dollar stuff, but it’s something that can make different locations on Main Street profitable,” he said.

Hilton reiterated that Westbrook has come a long way in business development, and looked to examples of growing Westbrook businesses such as Idexx Laboratories.

“We’re focused on growth and growth opportunities,” she said. “Every budget provides new challenges, and I think we’ve done a very good job of bringing in responsible budgets.”

In addition to a rare, three-way race, the mayoral election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, is notable for structural changes. For the first time, following changes to the city’s charter in 2012, candidates will appear on the ballot without party designations, and the term for mayor will be three years, rather than two.