toledoblade.com --

Mayor Jack Ford and challenger Carty Finkbeiner clashed last night over their views on proposed development in the Westgate area of West Toledo.

At a candidates' forum, the two men disagreed on whether they supported the arrival of a Costco wholesale club at the Westgate Village Shopping Center and what it would mean for small businesses in the area.

Mayor Ford is for it. Mr. Finkbeiner, who was mayor for eight years preceding Mr. Ford's term, isn't.

Mr. Ford touted the job possibilities, focusing on the 200 jobs that Costco would bring, each paying about $35,000. For years, the shopping center has had numerous retailers come and go. Mr. Ford sees Costco as a stabilizing force.

"Just replacing folks into the storefronts is not the answer," Mayor Ford said.

But Mr. Finkbeiner spoke about charm and aesthetics, saying the area should remain a "village," and that he would rather see such entities as the University of Toledo, Toledo Hospital, or a retailer like Whole Foods take the space, rather than have it lose its "uniqueness."

Mr. Finkbeiner said he has yet to speak with any of the entities about such a possibility.

Both candidates vowed to make businesses adhere to the "Walk Westgate" plan that calls for the entire area, at the corner of Secor and Central Roads, to be more pedestrian-friendly.

Venturing into a stuffy basement of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, next door to the Westgate Village Shopping Center, Mr. Ford and Mr. Finkbeiner fielded questions from an audience sponsored by the Westgate Neighbors association.

The two candidates also disagreed on the recent "point of sale" ordinance proposed by Mayor Ford.

The mayor said the ordinance, which requires some home owners to get a building inspection and have violations addressed before they sell, is needed as a "great step to improve housing," and would protect the unsophisticated buyer.

Mr. Finkbeiner called the ordinance "another level of bureaucracy" that "simply isn't pro-businesslike."

Another issue that brought stark disagreements between the candidates was gambling in Toledo.

Mr. Ford, a former social worker, said the "jobs and excitement" that a casino would bring is not worth the "host of social problems."

"Addiction is addiction is addiction ... I have that same philosophy in my soul," he said.

But Mr. Finkbeiner said Toledo was "losing a lot of money" to casinos in Detroit and Windsor. He said casinos - possibly on a Maumee riverboat - would be neither a panacea nor a "huge shame or sin ... I don't want a ton of 'em, but a fair number."

Contact Tad Vezner at: tvezner@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.

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