MORRISVLLE - The 10 candidates running for four spots on the Morrisville Town Council got a chance to set themselves apart, tackling issues such as growth, permitting and bipartisanship, during a recent forum hosted by the chamber.

But as the candidates introduced themselves and responded to questions submitted by residents, the candidates appeared to share viewpoints. The difference was in their proposed methods to accomplish their goals.

Streamline

District 1 incumbent Linda Lyons and challenger Michael Schlink were asked to address ways to streamline the business permitting process.

Lyons said the council is already working on this issue and revising its unified development ordinance. Currently, many items including variances must appear before a planning commission and the council for approval.

"We're looking at trying to make it more realistic, like going through the staff (for approval)," she said.

Schlink, a business owner, said he can relate to some of the frustrations.

He said the issue is less about the ordinance and more about how it's implemented.

"Just recently I talked to some small businesses and they're wondering why they can't open, but the Target store across the way is already open," he said. "So I would say we need to sit down with developers, builders, small business guys that are already here and ask them how to make it better."

Need vs. want

District 3 incumbent Liz Johnson and challenger Gary Martin were asked how they would provide services with no tax increase, and both agreed citizen input was important.

"I think it's really important that we understand the needs of our community," Johnson said. "Today we have a budget panel that is helping us evaluate our budget and our needs as a community."

Gary Martin said residents should be allowed to vote on major expenditures.

"We would take it before the voters and say 'Hey let's vote on it' and let's see if we want to spend our hard-earned money or not. And if we don't, set it aside," he said. "We're just going to make some hard decisions up here."

Residents already must vote if there is a bond issue - or a loan - to pay for items such as parks and recreation facilities.

Backyard zoning

At-large incumbent Pete Martin faced off against challengers Gerard Falzon and Mark Stohlman, a former councilman, on growth and the "not-in-my-backyard" sentiment.

"The way this is handled is through town ordinance and land use planning," Pete Martin said. "The public needs to be involved in the early process of land use planning."

Stohlman said more questions need to be asked about zoning.

"Very often you'll have offices near residential," he said. "Does that really work?"

He also said proactive residents are important and highlighted residents who successfully opposed a large cell phone tower near a subdivision.

Falzon called growth a two-edged sword, pitting increased tax revenue and jobs against the potential for lower property values for existing developments nearby.

"As such, we should be really sensitive to that as a council member and come up with solutions to negate that loss of value to those people that are right next to that property," he said.

Party ideals

The second at-large seat has no incumbents running. The winner will complete the two-year unexpired term of Tom Murry, who left the council in January for a seat in the state House. Political newcomer Tara Mylenski, community volunteer T.J. Cawley, and Steve Rao, a former candidate for Wake County Commissioner were questioned on whether they could be bipartisan.

Mylenski is a registered Republican and has been endorsed by her party but said she won't let the endorsement sway her decisions.

"Hopefully, the party and/or whoever endorses you backs you as a candidate and doesn't necessarily want you to impart their ideas," she said.

Both of her opponents are Democrats.

"We are all here to serve the public's best interest and at the local level, I don't see partisan politics having any kind of role whatsoever," Cawley said.

Rao has the endorsement of the county Democratic Party.

"When you call 911 or you ask your trash to be picked up or you ask about congested roads, do you ask yourself is the council Republican or Democrat. I don't think we do," he said. " I think it's about pulling people together and coming up with town solutions."