Hundreds of residents gathered Saturday, Feb. 27, for a Milton chamber-sponsored forum where seven candidates jostled for three vacancies.

As the town prepares for its Saturday, March 6 municipal election, interest focused on whether to improve the downtown through a Main Street program. While most agree such a program is attractive, the proposal comes at an inopportune time as the Milton Theatre faces financial difficulties and Milton’s empty storefronts reflect a national economic downturn that has not spared small-town America.

Last year, the municipal election was not held because the incumbents were not challenged. This year, Cliff Newlands is running against Milton Mayor Don Post, and five candidates are running for only two open council seats.

Since Milton’s last election in 2008, 175 more voters have registered to vote – 805 voters among the town’s 2,301 residents.

Post said the town has fared well under his leadership, and he pointed to a recent town audit by Tom Sombar, who said the town remains in the black and ranks second in success among Sombar’s handful of clients. Post said many feature articles in local and national magazines have provided positive press coverage for Milton as a well-run town. He also pointed to a growing medical-business community, a new town hall and police department and upgraded town parks.

Post defended a controversial police investigation that he said was requested by Police Chief William Phillips. Post supports a Main Street program that he said should be merged with the chamber of commerce. He reminded residents it was under his watch the town acquired a new sewer plant. As the town eyes commercial development, he pointed toward Front Street – an untapped opportunity along the Broadkill River. Post said he has a proven track record as two-term, successful mayor, noting it’s a $900-a-year position.

Newlands, calling himself a cheerleader for the town, said he would fix what he said is broken or not working and would ensure the town’s finances are more transparent. He said he would have time to devote to town hall as a retired information technology consultant who has experience working with contractors, vendors and regulators. Newlands said he supports a Main Street-like program, although he was unsure if establishing such a program, which requires a $20,000 annual salary for a director, would provide the town the best return on investment.

Newlands said he would provide new thinking in his leadership after witnessing numerous lawsuits against the town costing tax-payers hundreds of thousands of dollars. “Do you want a mayor that attracts lawsuits?” he said. Newlands, who regularly attends meetings, said town unity is split by neighborhoods. He said he would stop frivolous spending and said government is for the people, not elected officials.

Council candidate Leah Betts, who is seeking re-election, said,

“I don’t have to tell anyone who I am.” When asked if she supported term limits, Betts, who has served on council for 23 years, drew widespread laughter when she responded with a simple yes. Betts said she would continue to work for residents, including helping to acquire funding for new town sidewalks, as chairwoman of the town’s streets and sidewalks committee.

She questions the expense of a Main Street program during tight economic times. She said, instead, she would wait to see if there were enough revenues to support a program in next year’s budget.

Council candidate Norma Kraus said since she moved to Milton in 2005, business has bloomed. She called herself a positive person who would draw on her lengthy corporate background in human resources to help make town decisions. She defended the town’s economic growth against criticism from council candidate Norman Lester.

“I’m not sure where everything failed so badly,” she said.

Council candidate Louis Sgro, a retired police officer, said he would seek solutions to controversies through better communications. He said he would increase transparency in government and would petition Vice President Joe Biden for funds to revive the Milton Theatre. He suggested a public-private partnership to improve downtown Milton. He, too, remains unsure if joining the Main Street program would be the best way to revive downtown.

Lester said contrary to rumors, he is not a one-issue candidate. He pointed out problems in the way the town reports financial matters, saying six months into the current fiscal year, he still has not seen a year-end fiscal report from last year. “If this town goes belly-up – that’s our problem,” he said.

Also contrary to rumor, he said he supports the theater. He reminded residents the town works for them and criticized some employees for being rude. He does not support a Main Street program, but instead, he said more efficient town committees should work toward Milton’s economic success.

Council candidate Lynn Ekelund said she would like to see a finance committee reinstated. She said town officials are missing opportunities to improve the town. She questioned how Post can vouch for spending oversight when the personnel committee, which is charged with spending reviews, has not been doing its job. She does not support a Main Street program, asking where a director’s salary would come from. Considering a fractious history among residents and officials, Ekelund proposed a bury-the-hatchet party following the elections, drawing widespread laughter and clapping. John Kurpjuweit, who moderated the debate, encouraged voters to head to the polls this weekend.