METHUEN — After sparring for an hour over how each would do a better job running the city, the two candidates for mayor agreed wholeheartedly on one tough decision — that family sacrifices are always part of the job.
"Unfortunately, the choice has been to go to the important City Council meeting," Mayor William Manzi said in response to the 13th and final question of the night — deciding whether to go to a children's event or a crucial council meeting.
"As I told my kids, duty comes first," said Manzi, who is seeking his third, two-year term.
Al DiNuccio, co-owner of East Coast Cabinet in Lawrence, confessed to being "a workaholic" and missing special family moments over the years because of job.
"I would not be in this race if my family didn't give me the thumbs up," DiNuccio told the crowd of more than 200 who assembled inside Mann Orchards Farm Store and Bakery last night for free hot cider, coffee, doughnuts and pastries as they participated in a town hall style mayoral debate hosted by The Eagle-Tribune.
Citizens whose raffle ticket numbers were drawn from a basket randomly got to ask each questions about local issues relevant to the Nov. 3 city election.
Early in last night's debate, DiNuccio went on the offensive in a response to a question on what the next mayor should do if the state Civil Service Commission reinstates fired police Chief Joseph Solomon.
DiNuccio accused the Manzi campaign of portraying him as being aligned politically and personally with Solomon.
"I have no ties whatsoever to Mr. Solomon," DiNuccio insisted.
As for suggestions that DiNuccio might be inclined to support the reinstatement of Solomon, he said it's not up to him - but the Civil Service Commission.
"I have no intention of ever bringing Joe Solomon back," DiNuccio said.
"If he does come back, it's better that I deal with the Joe Solomon issue rather than the man who fired him," he said.
Manzi responded that the only comments he had made about DiNuccio's stand on the Solomon situation was in response to what the challenger had said in previous newspaper stories.
"I have three deals that I could offer to Joe Solomon to get him to leave his position," DiNuccio said in previous article, declining to offer specifics.
Last night's debate reflected much of the political rhetoric which has characterized the campaign.
Most of the questions involved issues of municipal finance.
DiNuccio, who has spent more than 30 years as a businessman, continued to attack Manzi for his fiscal management of the city. Manzi countered that DiNuccio was vague and lacked specific plans to improve the city's financial situation.
DiNuccio predicted that the city would soon be facing a Proposition 2 1/2 override or debt exclusion.
"Folks, hold onto your wallets, it's coming," he said.
But the mayor said the city's finances are much better than portrayed by DiNuccio.
"We're $2.5 million below our levy limit. We're nowhere near an override," Manzi said.
"Al needs to get his numbers straight," the mayor said.
When asked how the city should generate more revenue, DiNuccio said attracting more business to the city was key.
Manzi said his administration has "a long list of commercial enterprises" that have come to the city.
But even with good financial growth, the city's municipal finances are hampered by such issues as health care costs and municipal pensions.
"These two items are costing $15 million a year," Manzi said.
The mayor said DiNuccio lacked the background, education and municipal experience to be mayor and "doesn't grasp the basics of municipal finance."
Mayors have to make difficult decisions and Methuen can't afford to allow "on the job training" for its mayor," Manzi said.
DiNuccio called Manzi "a lifelong politician" and disagreed that he lacked the financial background to run the city.
"Me coming in with 30 years of experience in the private sector is not on-the-job training," DiNuccio said.
Manzi pressed DiNuccio for specifics.
"What would you privatize and how much would you save? You don't hear that from Al," the mayor said.
DiNuccio responded that he's skilled at "finding the skeletons."
"I'm on the outside looking in. Once I'm in, I'll make it work," he said.
