Rob Zeller and Susan Bottcher admit that they don’t agree on everything.
One of them views government as a pesky, bloated body that hinders economic prosperity. The other views its programs as something to be embraced, not automatically sent to the chopping block.
“We’re different on almost every issue,” Zeller said.
Those differences were highlighted at an African American Accountability Alliance forum Monday night.
About a dozen people listened to the candidates and voted on who they wanted to represent them in the District 3 run-off, slated to take place April 12.
At the end of the forum, Bottcher secured the endorsement.
She said the endorsement will help connect her with the African-American community if she is elected.
During the debate, Bottcher, the stay-at-home mom and community activist-turned-candidate, pledged to attend every neighborhood meeting as a commissioner.
“I will be the only full-time city commissioner,” she said.
Zeller, who owns several bars and restaurants in Gainesville, said almost all of the current commissioners have jobs.
“I think productive people have jobs,” he said in an interview. “I don’t think that’s a hindrance nor a help.”
Zeller criticized the current commission, saying it has placed burdens on citizens in the form of the fire assessment fee and other regulations.
He also said commissioners seem to be distracted, using their laptops and posting on Twitter during commission meetings.
“I don’t think the current commission is paying attention to the citizens,” he said during the forum.
Bottcher, who supports the current commission, said it has been doing well, and various quality-of-life ratings and awards demonstrate that.
“What more do you need to show to demonstrate that we are on the right track?” she said in an interview. “Either he isn’t paying attention or he is playing into the political rhetoric.”
