The two mayoral challengers offered no verbal barbs to one another during a markedly civil debate at last week's Milpitas Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Candidates' Forum.

Craig Donnelly, husband to council candidate Heidi Pham, works as a district director for state Assemblyman Gene Mullin in San Mateo County. Donnelly faced Vice Mayor Bob Livengood, a more than 30-year politician who works as a San Mateo County Sheriff's Office analyst.

Both men seek election to a two-year term as mayor of Milpitas, to replace Mayor Jose Esteves who terms out of office at the end of the year.

Milpitas Post Newspaper editors asked questions of the challengers, which touched on Milpitas' ongoing economic development, housing and traffic, use of green technology and improving relations with Milpitas Unified School District, among others.

One question asked the candidates how they were most different from one another.

Donnelly, 61, said he was a "very inclusive person" who welcomed diverse opinions.

"I want to include everyone in the community to have you contact me, and I'll be in contact with you too," he said.

Livengood, 53, said the best way to answer the question was using the word "perspective," saying living in Milpitas since the early 1960s has allowed him to intimately know the community.

"That gives you a deep understanding of your community... of what neighbors need and what they're feeling," Livengood said.

Another question asked about the disparity

in the amount of campaign monies raised for their respective mayoral campaigns for a position that pays about $20,000 a year. They were also asked if there were groups whose campaign monies they would refuse.

Livengood replied that he planned "to raise enough."

"And I think that number is probably about where I am right now... $85,000 to $90,000," he added. "Campaigns are not inexpensive any more..."

Livengood said he would refuse money from a business that wanted something in return, or was someone he deemed an "irresponsible" person.

"Of course I would turn it down," he said.

Donnelly claimed that he would accept enough money to be a viable candidate in this race.

"That's probably less than Mr. Livengood's now," he said.

Donnelly added there was a problem when candidates amassed $85,000 or more from developers.

"It's not a matter of they're not being good people... it's the impression that the public has that's not a good impression when you take that much money from developers, some of which are outside the state of California. I don't want to do that," Donnelly said. "It's just way to much money to amass $85,000 to $100,000 for a job that pays $1,000 a month."

Another question confronted the city's growth, asking whether Milpitas should continue its Midtown and Transit Area plans for 12,000 new units of housing, the plans for which came about during a real estate boom.

Livengood said both plans were "solid planning documents" and that the city should proceed with them. He added, however, that the market "dictates" how many housing units will be built.

"The city council is not going to be able to control that," Livengood said. "Our job is to do good, strong long-term planning..."

Donnelly said his concern was that city officials were not bringing in enough business and he noted the effects of traffic congestion along Calaveras Boulevard and adjacent streets.

"We need to attract better companies, and use our industrial land in a better way," he said.

Donnelly noted Milpitas City Council's October 2007 approval to allow developer Fairfield Residential LLC's controversial request to build a 659-unit residential project and rezone 21.7 acres of vacant industrial park land near high-tech firms into multi-family very-high-density use on Murphy Ranch Road near Interstate 880.

Another question asked the men how they planned to balance next year's budget without borrowing more monies through Milpitas Redevelopment Agency.

"The answer to that right now tonight is I don't know," Donnelly said, adding that there is a "serious problem" using borrowed monies to pay for government projects.

Conversely, Livengood said the city council had unanimously adopted a "strategy" five years ago to use $27-million in redevelopment agency monies some of which was used to help balance annual budgets.

Saying those funds were being used "very judiciously," Livengood added "we're not just gobbling it all up in huge chunks."

He suggested approximately $22 millon remained, the interest of which was being used to "plug a few holes."

Livengood said the city was cutting back on positions and current employees were doing more with less.

A question also asked the candidates what policies and programs will they propose to make Milpitas a leader in the green movement, and further asked them where opportunities are for the city to use sustainable alternatives within projects or private development here.

Donnelly said he wanted to bring Bay Area Rapid Transit to Santa Clara County.

"It's important not only for our community, but for the entire Bay Area," he said, adding the process of "greening" Milpitas was "way behind a lot of cities."

"And I plan to encourage development of green industry and the biotech industry... to come to Milpitas and Fremont," Donnelly said.

Livengood suggested the green movement in Milpitas needed to begin with residents and greater use of solar energy installation, particularly in residences.

"We should waive all fees; we should have an incentive to do that, not a disincentive," he said.

Livengood also said he wanted the city's fleet of vehicles to move toward use of alternative fuels. He added Milpitas City Hall could further move to a four-day-a-week, 10-hour-per-day work schedule to reduce costs, and that BART to Santa Clara County was needed.

Another question posed wanted to know how the candidates could best help small and mid-size businesses that are struggling to survive.

Donnelly said as a former small business owner himself he saw a variety of things that needed to occur including having a better transportation system and less traffic congestion.

"If we have continuing congestion on Calaveras Boulevard and surrounding streets, people aren't going to want to stop (in Milpitas), they're going to go elsewhere...," Donnelly said.

He added the city needed to redevelop older businesses in town to help make small businesses more attractive to customers.

Livengood said Milpitas' economic development was the key issue.

"That's the No. 1 job for the next mayor, and like I said I'm going to get my hands around that," he said.

Livengood suggested that as mayor he will meet with business owners every fiscal quarter to find out their concerns.

"We've got to be more aggressive with our current employment base, and make sure they don't leave Milpitas, keep them here," Livengood said. "And the way we're going to do that is meet with them face to face and find out what they need."

In their closings, the mayoral candidates suggested they brought distinct differences to the office either by way of experience or change.

Donnelly said he was fighting for the citizens of Milpitas.

"To bring honor to the city, to eliminate what many people consider a closed city hall, and open the doors to all," Donnelly said.

Livengood suggested experience was most important for success as the next mayor.

"I'm ready to lead this city government on day one. On Nov. 4, a vote for me is a vote for tested and proven leadership," Livengood said.