CALDWELL  — Candidates for Caldwell office responded to questions covering a range of issues affecting the community at a Thursday evening forum.

About 150 people attended the event, held by the Idaho Press-Tribune.

Much of the discussion at the event centered on a conflict between Caldwell officials and the local firefighters union, which has endorsed the challengers in all four races.

Incumbents said the money to address staffing concerns and build a new fire station simply does not exist, while challengers asserted the funds can be found if the issue is made a priority.

Other topics addressed included plans to locate a new Treasure Valley Community College campus downtown, use of the city's urban renewal agency and the city's overall direction during the past decade.

Here are paraphrased and summarized responses to a few questions:

Q. Should Caldwell invite TVCC to have a building in Caldwell, and where should it be located?

Mayoral incumbent Garret Nancolas: Bringing TVCC downtown is a great investment that will create local educational opportunities as well as critical mass to help attract private development in the city's core. Bringing people downtown is the key to revitalization, and TVCC would do just that.

Mayoral challenger Helmut Kohler: I do support TVCC as an institution and think it's great that they're in Caldwell, but I want it to be under the right conditions. It should not involve taxpayer expense, and should go where it makes the most sense for TVCC, not where urban renewal and Oppenheimer Development Corp. choose.

City Council Seat No. 1 incumbent Jim Dakan: TVCC would draw up to 1,500 students — not kids, but older students furthering their education — to the downtown area. Private development such as coffee shops and restaurants would follow. I'm in favor of the downtown location.

City Council Seat No. 1 challenger Vincent Sanchez: This is an important decision that will impact our city for decades to come. Downtown might be a good location, but the decision should be well thought out and researched and must involve input from the public.

City Council Seat No. 2 incumbent Dennis Callsen: Caldwell's downtown area needs to draw people. Businesses looking to locate in Caldwell are curious about the state of downtown. Parking needs will be addressed.

City Council Seat No. 2 challenger Marlene Boucher: I have nothing against TVCC. The problem I do have is that locating TVCC downtown is giving away a prime piece of downtown property. Who will TVCC draw downtown?

City Council Seat No. 3 incumbent Rob Hopper: Buildings don't bring economic development, people do. TVCC will bring people and activity into the downtown area, creating opportunities for businesses.

City Council Seat No. 3 challenger Karen Alldredge: We can invite them but shouldn't pay for it. There have been several developers that have come in and said, we will build the building, Caldwell can lease; tax dollars don't need to be involved. It shouldn't be downtown at a prime spot on Indian Creek.

Q. Should urban renewal assist in the TVCC project?

Nancolas: State code specifically proscribes how urban renewal is supposed to be used. We have used it exactly as intended. We have invested money across the community, expanding infrastructure and partnering with educational and other entities. Education is possibly the most appropriate use of urban renewal. The lease paid by TVCC will eventually create a new revenue stream for the city.

Kohler: I believe when tax money is spent on major expenditures there should be strict public oversight. I hear a lot about comprehensive planning, but plans for the downtown area and for TVCC have changed numerous times. The plot of land in question is a prime piece of downtown real estate. A college does not create a base for business. Parking is also a major concern.

Dakan: Bringing TVCC downtown will draw people downtown and help attract private economic development to revitalize the area. This is what urban renewal is intended to do.

Sanchez: If urban renewal funds are going to be used, the project should be more extensively researched with additional input from citizens and the business community.

Callsen: I completely support urban renewal helping TVCC. The infrastructure created will not only benefit TVCC, but future development such as a new City Hall as well.

Boucher: I don't think urban renewal should be putting money into this that we're not sure will come back out. Why wasn't urban renewal money used when big-box corporations wanted to come to Caldwell?

Hopper: Urban renewal will help with infrastructure costs such as utility installations around the building site. This is an opportunity for economic development and improved commercial aspects downtown. This is exactly the role urban renewal should play.

Alldredge: Urban renewal funds should not be spent with no input from the people. Local voters decided to spend tax dollars on the College of Western Idaho. College students don't have money to spend. I think this is the wrong project for downtown.