From left, Republican incumbent Jeff Russell (At-Large), Republican incumbent Randall E. Daversa (At-Large), Democrat Alyssa Porter, Republican incumbent William R. Reynolds III (Ward 5), and Democrat Travis Knight, participated in the WRFA 107.9 F.M. Open Public Debate held Thursday at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. P-J Photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Republican Councilman Jeff Russell lobbed a financial water balloon at Mayor Eddie Sundquist during a public meet the candidates night Thursday at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

“I know the difference between a leader and a supervisor,” said Republican incumbent Jeff Russell, (At-Large). “When I’m hearing about Home Depot bills that aren’t being paid, and accounts being canceled… that’s a concern. When our Sherman Williams account is canceled and we can’t use our Sherman Williams account that concerns me…when our Otis Elevator bill goes unpaid for an entire year and now, we’re being penalized for that bill not being paid, that concerns me, that’s a lack of leadership. When our current administration pits an entire fire union against this council, that’s not leadership, that concerns me. When we have employee’s going to Florida for six weeks, working from the beach, and being paid by the taxpayers, that concerns me, that’s not leadership.”

When asked about Russell’s statements, Sundquist seemed unfazed.

“It’s politics,” said Sundquist. “Jeff and I have worked together before and saved the city taxpayers almost $2 million with employee health insurance. We can and have worked together before.”

The exchange came during a final pitch by council candidates to the general public. All City Council seats are being challenged, except for Ward 2, which is held by Tony Dolce, Republican incumbent and Jamestown City Council President. Thursday’s forum was moderated by WRFA’s interim director Julia Ciesla-Hanley, The Post-Journal’s John D’Agostino regional editor and Terry Frank, Media One Group news director.

Each candidate was given an initial 3-minute opening statement where some unique and interesting facts were revealed about them while also highlighting some of their individual goals and aspirations for the city.

“Yes, I am the great, great, great, grandson of Reuben Fenton – the 22nd Governor of New York,,” said William “Bill” Reynolds III, R-Ward 5. “Our family has been invested in this community for eight generations.”

Democratic challenger for a City Council At-Large seat, Alyssa Porter stated “I believe in Jamestown and see the potential of what our city can be. I believe our future can be one where our city prioritizes public safety, healthy communities and economic growth.”

After the debate a few candidates had other comments which they included in their overall platforms.

“I feel that I would be a good fit to work with Mayor Sundquist,” Porter said. “Our mayor is fast-moving, impactful and dynamic, he needs a City Council that understands that things move and move fast. The status quo is to move slow or not move at all. This is a new day and age, and we need council members who understand that.”