Balzhiser, Harris Agree On 'Strong Mayor' Role

Candidates for mayor in the April 7 election squared off at the Community Center last night to round out the issues in the current campaign. After an hour of discussion at the League of Women Voters sponsored candidates night, Republican Richard E. Balzhiser and Democrat Robert J. Harris found little to agree upon except that whichever candidate was elected would be a "strong mayor." The differences between the candidates on the major issues remained somewhat less than clear cut, with Harris attempting to link Balzhiser with the conservative wing of the Republican party and the GOP candidate defending his record as a Fifth Ward City Council member. Some 250 persons attended the annual candidates night and, following the mayoral candidates' discussion, the 10 candidates for ward seats spoke at separate sessions. Leading off the discussion, Harris said, "Prof. Balzhiser is the candidate of the Ann Arbor Republican party in which moderate, insurgent Bepublicans are in continuous battle with I the conservative wing of the I party .which has traditionally I controlled it. As a result, when I elections roll around, Republicans avoid specific statements about such key issues as taxes, public housing, and bus subsidies - in the name of winning elections." Harris said Balzhiser's record "clearly shows that my opponent, when forced to take stands on issues that divide his party, is a conservative Republican." He then said Balzhiser voted with conservative GOP councilmen on such issues as broadening the fair housing ordinance, the parks and I recreation bond issue and public housing. "The conservative record is coupled with an undue sympathy for speculators," Harris said, "as carne clear when the I issue on Aug. 30, 1965, was whether council would railroad through approval of the 26-story building on the corner of Maynard and William, without adequate provisión for 1 streel parking or set-back ... I "Richard Balzhiser voted for the give-away, and when I criticized him for his vote at an earlier confrontation we had he indicated that the building was not so bad and that he feit it proper to protect the speculator's investment in his plans." Harris then asked Balhziser to take clear stands on the issues of the income tax, bus transportation and public housing. In his opening remarks, Balzhiser said he had been asked by many voters the differences between himself and his opponent. "I indeed did have a difficult time in identifying the differences. I have yet to hear Prof. Harris speak on the issues of the campaign. I have heard nothing but his distortion of my record." He said Harris' reactions to his attempts to solve the. rent strike problem on campus "has done nothing to alleviate the problem." Balzhiser said he supportet the creation of a Housing Com mission after he had been shown the need for such a body. "I don't remember seeing Prof. Harris there when the chips were down." On the 26-story building, Balzhiser said this was permitted after the Maynard House and University Towers had been constructed, stating that these high-rises were "a sign of the times." He also said the issue of the 26-story building was not put on the council agenda at his request and "anyone could have objected and kcpt it off. Yet, the 'Republican arty has been accused of railbading this item." The Republican candidate lso said he worked for the arks and recreation bond ssue, and convinced the Jniversity to contribute to the ulier Road facilities. "There again is an example of rny leadership (on council.) That's what this election is all about, we 're trying to put leadership in the mayor's chair." On the questions asked by Harris, and reiterated by a ember of the audience, Balzser said he had made his osition clear. "I have no philosophical hang-up. on an income tax, but I'm not sure right now that the income tax is the way to go." He said the income tax has certain advantages, namely aiding those with fixed incomes and obtaining 'revenue from out-of-city residents who work here and use that it will simply be used as anadditionalsourceof revenue. The property tax is P r oviding enough, perhaps more than we actaully need. 'TA go for an income tax if I there was, by charter ' ment, a cut-back in the property tax." He said he believed an income tax could be "sold" if it was made clear it was not just an extra tax but a more equitab 1 e method of obtaining revenue. On the issue of buses, Balzhiser said "if it takes $120,000 to do the job, 111 be there putting the money on the barrelhead." He added, however, that ; the Transportation Authority has not had the opportunity to date to formúlate a system "to r take us 20 years into the 1 future." And on public housing, Balzhiser said nis position now is the same as it has been over the y-ears. "I demand to have the facts before voting on the issues'.' He said if studies show the need to be 300, or 500, additional public housing units, he would support it. Harris, stating his positions on the three issues, said he favors asking for voter approval of an income tax this year for implementation Jan. 1, 1970. He said he favors the Transportation Authority's bus plan which would cost some $120,000 the first year, and favors completing the current Housing Commission program and then going to the Federal government for an additional 300 units. Asked to give their positions on the Model Cities Policy Board, Harris said he favors the current composition while Balzhiser said he endorses the council's position in calling for a public hearing on the issue. Both supported the Model Cities program. On the rent strike issue, Balzhiser said he fears that some incident could spark demonstrations here similar to ones occurring on other campuses, and he also said there is a danger that it could force the University to construct more student housing. "One way the city has shared in the University's growth has been in the building of housing. As long as the housing is decent and wellmanaged, it is a good thing." Harris charged, "I suggest he's interested in capturing student votes and headlines. If it was a serious effort to medíate the strike, why wasn't it done by the mayor? Why was the council's proposed ordinance (on the fraudulent withholding of damage deposits) named the Balzhiser ordinance? Usually an ordinance is named after the problem, not the candidate - unless they are identical." Balzhiser, during his introductory r e m a r k s , said the appointment problem has divided the community. If elected mayor, he said, he would consider all residents for appointménts, adding he would appoint a special committee to aid in this process. He said the basic problem still facing the Negro community is one of economie opportuni MM- ty and said the best way to attack the problem is by involvement of all the community's institutions. Balzhiser also pledged continued efforts for improvement of recreation opportunities, and said he would work toward incentives to developers for the construc t i o n of moderatelypriced housing. Harris said, "Prof. Balzhiser and I appear to be in agreement that Ann Arbor's current Republican administration has failed to provide decent leader, ship. We are both pledged to correct the various messes it has made in the city - potholed streets, no public housing constructed, a collapsed bus system, f 1 o o d e d basements, backed-up sewers, a $600,000 suit against the city by the Penn Central Railroad . . . "The question is whether I or Prof. Balzhiser is more likely to give the city the new dynamic liberal leadership we both agree it needs. Prof. Balzhiser was a part of the current Republican administration for 28 months - until he quit to take a Washington job - but he still maintains he is in a position to cure the evils of the administration. "I am a lawyer, a liberal, and a member of a political I party that is united in its clear and specific proposals for J ing the present J tion of the city," Harris said. I (Related story on Page 3)