The Maple Valley Rotary presented a forum July 24 between the three candidates seeking City Council Position No. 2.

Deputy Mayor Glenn Smith, the incumbent, is seeking a second term and the challengers are Jim Flynn and Bill Allison.

Flynn served 10 years on the City Council and was deputy mayor before losing to Layne Barnes for Position No. 3 two years ago.

Allison is the political new kid on the block.

During the forum the three described their positions on a wide range of topics including encouraging new business in the community, development and their vision of what the city should look like in the future.

Allison said the city needs a “new vision. We need to complete projects we talked about.”

He also stated the city should encourage business and commercial development “in a way that is responsible. Then we won’t have to rely so heavily on real estate taxes.”

Flynn said the city budget has taken a hit because of the economic downturn and the city “has to learn to live within its means.”

He said the city and Council needs to “reach out to citizens and find out what they want, then go after those businesses.”

Smith said the he supports “promoting the businesses that are here now and taking care of what we have.”

Smith also spoke of his work on the Summit Place project while on the council.

The Summit Place project, or donut hole, is a 156-acre site located near 228th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 272nd Street. The developer, YarrowBay, has plans for both a residential and commercial development on the site.

The city has been in negotiations with King County and YarrowBay over annexing the property.

Smith said it will have a “devastating impact on the city if it fails.”

Flynn said the “donut hole is a huge issue. We had a seat at the table, but we had a gun to our head. I think the city has been shortchanged, but I don’t think that is our biggest issue. We lack an overall plan. We need one unified plan that can be applied equally.”

Allison said the City Council needs, “leadership that is proactive and forward thinking.”

While hitting home their individual hot buttons, they were able to work in a few inside jabs.

Both Allison and Flynn took swings at Smith for flip-flopping on issues. Smith brought up conflict of interest, which is a direct shot at Flynn who is a local businessman.

“I am proactive rather than reactive,” Allison said. “And I don’t flip-flop on issues.”

Flynn said, “I think change is needed at this position. I have a track record that is honest, unbiased and ethical and I don’t miss meetings. I don’t flip-flop back and forth and I understand the local business community.”

Smith took his turn and said, “We need someone who is going to represent us regionally. We are not the same city we were years ago and we need someone who understands both sides. We don’t need conflict of interests.”

The three candidates meet again for a debate sponsored by The Reporter newspaper at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 in the Tahoma School District Central Services Center or boardroom, 25720 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road S.E.