On Friday, the Ames mayoral and City Council candidates engaged in a forum at the Ames-Des Moines City Church and fielded questions from moderators and attendees.

There was a consensus among the candidates that Ames needs responsible, planned growth and collaboration from the city of Ames, ISU students and residents, along with the business community. There was an emphasis placed on diversity from candidates, with varying ideas of how to increase diversity.

The forum began with each candidate being given a brief period of time to introduce themselves, explain their platforms, experience and reason for their campaign.

The mayoral candidates, John Haila and Victoria Szopinski spoke first. The mayoral candidates were followed by City Council candidates Amber Corrieri, Rob Bowers, Dr. David Martin and Dr. Gloria Betcher.

Incumbents Corrieri and Betcher are running unopposed. Bowers and Martin are running for the third ward seat vacated by Peter Orazem.

Questions were read by Trent Rice of the Trent Rice Show, Scott Anderson, publisher of the Ames Tribune, and Emily Barske, editor-in-chief of the Iowa State Daily. Each candidate had an opportunity to respond to each question.

Topics covered during the two hour event included community amenities, tax abatements, sexual assault prevention, development and social divides.

Each table in the Ames-Des Moines City Church was nearly full and community members of various ages and professions were in attendance.

“I was impressed with all of [the candidates], to be candid. They all were well-spoken, they were all knowledgeable, and I believe they have a genuine knowledge to serve the community,” Nancy Carroll said. Carroll has lived in Ames since 1957, and was born and raised in Ames.

Sam Schill, who said he has lived in Ames “pretty much his whole life,” said he attended because he felt hearing directly from each candidate was important.

“I try to keep myself aware of what is going on and the trends in the city. As a person that wants to be here for the next 30 years, I care about this stuff, for sure,” Schill said.

Schill, a married father of three, felt that involvement with elections is highly important.

“It’s good to see two very passionate people that are running for mayor and as far as living in the city,” Schill said. “It’s also very meaningful as I’ve mentioned, all the comprehensive planning that is going to be done. It’s a big moment. The city council has done a great job and Ann Campbell, our mayor, has moved it forward really well and we gotta keep doing that. We can not allow things to digress at all, I think.”