Lacombe mayoral candidate Peter Bouwsema stuck with the key plank of his campaign platform at last night's all-candidates meeting: to bring more commercial development to the city.

Speaking to reporters, Bouwsema said his plan starts with a needs assessment with resident input. The city needs to find out what services already exist and then present findings to businesses that can fill the gaps, he said.

Bouwsema said the city needs to reduce its reliance on residential taxes, which accounts for 84 per cent of Lacombe's tax base. He is setting a goal to reduce that to 75 per cent.

"We need absolutely to get away from our huge reliance on residential taxes. That has to change," Bouwsema said.

There's business, but then there's the business of council.

Bouwsema's opponent Grant Creasey spoke about changing how council operates, putting reforms like blind and recorded votes at the centre of his platform, along with improving the city's website and creating an open mic period during meetings.

He prioritizes those changes above all other concerns.

"I truly believe that those fundamental issues of accountability and transparency are the most important thing at all levels of government," Creasey said after the forum.

"They are paramount to your elected officials coming up with genuine answers to real questions. No matter what the issue, they have to be dealt with openly and honestly."

Creasey said the race will come down to the two candidates as individuals. He's relying on his business and previous council record, along with the door-to-door campaigning that he and his team have been doing.

Bouwsema bills himself as a person that can forge relationships but said he would be more focused on finding solutions to problems.

"That is absolutely critical to me," he said. "I look forward to that opportunity and I believe that is going to be quite a large difference from the other candidate."

The election forum was hosted at the Lacombe Memorial Centre by the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce. Ken Kobly, president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, was the moderator.

Supporting growth

With business attraction being a hot topic, Jonathan Jacobson, one of 11 candidates running for council, wanted to present himself as a knowledgeable voice.

Jacobson said government can create conditions that are conducive to investment but added that's the extent of what it can do.

"Ultimately you have to make sure your tax regime is as competitive as possible without hindering the public. You have to make sure your amenities are great," Jacobson said. "If you have policies in place that are growth-friendly, then that business is going to come."

BOLT debate resurfaces

The merits of BOLT Regional Public Transit was a topic of debate once again since its inception in 2014.

Incumbent councillor Reuben Konnik said he was one of the few on council to oppose the bus service, which runs between Blackfalds, Lacombe and Red Deer. His stance has not changed.

"I have a really hard time spending between $200,000 to $250,000 a year to subsidize a service that so few people use," Konnik said.

Konnik found support from Creasey, who said the service cost is difficult to justify.

BOLT Transit is projected to operate at a $220,000 deficit in 2017, even with growth in ridership and advertising revenues.

Bouwsema expressed his support for BOLT during the forum, saying it serves those who cannot afford their own vehicles.

On positive change

Cora Hoekstra is another candidate seeking a council seat, but she's focusing on the good to get there.

After the forum, Hoekstra said she received good feedback on her efforts to keep her campaign positive.

"Change doesn't have to be instigated out of a sense of negativity. It can also be part of a positive movement and sometimes people just want to point out the negative," Hoekstra said.

Hoekstra said she was not referring to any of the candidates.

"We all desire a great Lacombe in five years. I would say all of us have that as our motivation."

Offbeat

Hoekstra and Jacobson found themselves answering a question about whether agriculture has a place in the city.

Both were in support of activities like raising chickens.

Jacobson said studies have shown urban agriculture helps communities reconnect.

Council candidate Sandy Douglas, who finished last in 2013 with 767 votes, proposed creating a rail link from Edmonton to Calgary, through Lacombe as a way of attracting businesses.

"Some of you might think it's wild, including myself, but here goes," Douglas said.

"I'm not talking about high-speed. I'm talking about the return of the old-fashioned dayliner. ... Name it the Lacombe Rail Rocket. Attach flat-deck rail cars for land ferry transport of your motor vehicle, connect all points of the Calgary-Edmonton corridor, which could take the strain off the almost over-crowded highway traffic on the QEII. It could create a return of bustling downtown activity."

Throughout the forum, it was not uncommon for candidates to espouse similar views on topics. There was no overlap on that one.