Candidates running for election as North Haven First Selectman offered different opinions on financial topics during the 2011 Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce debate. Held in a conference room at Washington’s Holiday Inn on Oct. 21, the debate included incumbent Republican First Selectman Michael Freda, Democratic challenger Walter Spade and independent hopeful Gary Amato.

The moderator, Wallingford businesswoman Christine Mansfield, first asked each candidate to name drivers which could stimulate revenue in light of declining state and federal funds.

“Focusing in on small businesses,” Freda replied, “Creating synergies between the small businesses.” October’s town-produced “Show and Sell” expo was held for such reason, he added. Moreover, Freda said that he would continue to network and build relationships within the greater business community, such as continuing efforts on the Rabina and Yale-New Haven Hospital projects and deciding how to best incorporate Quinnipiac University’s new Washington Avenue medical school into area commerce.

Spader’s response focused on capturing state and federal finances. “The key is getting our fair share of state funding,” he said. “In particular, I would work with legislators to change the Education Cost Sharing formula.”

Amato believed that savings could be met by reductions in spending. “I am the only one up here who is in favor of holding off on the proposed $14 million capital bonding package,” he said. “Our bonds are coming down soon, and that could give all the businesses a break. We all need a break.”

Completion of North Haven’s Valley Service Road extension, too, could represent opportunity, according to Amato. “That’s one of the key factors in this whole area for piecing together Hamden and North Haven, and North Haven and North Haven,” he said.

Amato also suggested creation of a full-time town economic developer. “That would cost the taxpayers money, but you need to spend money to make money,” he said.

Freda and Spader disagreed. “I don’t think you need to spend the $100,000 necessary for that position,” Freda said. “Between our Economic Development Committee chairman Rich Lopresti, the other seven members of that committee and myself working with CEOs and business leaders, we’re already actively involved in trying to bring businesses in.”

Spader responded, “I’m just not sure that the economic development coordinator is the right plan. That’s one of the jobs of the First Selectman.”

Next, Mansfield asked what each debater would do to create local jobs. Freda said he was already creating new positions. “On Universal Drive, we’ve put about eight new businesses there,” he responded. He was also working with realtors and potential clients to populate buildings at Sackett Point Road and State Street, he said, and in the spring expected medical staff to begin moving into Devine Street quarters.

Again, Spader mentioned state-level efforts. “A lot of this has to do with state legislation,” he replied. “What really affects businesses is the cost of energy and taxation. The First Selectman has to be part of those decisions with state legislation. Locally, we can maintain reasonable taxation policies.”

Amato replied, “We need to shore up small businesses. They’re barely making it. We need to sell North Haven in the area — we need to make it a product. A lot of people, instead of coming over to North Haven, scoot over to Hamden. We need to push North Haven more.”

During the open question period, resident Raymond Fowler asked how each candidate would balance the needs of town departments without having to raise taxes.

“We’ve compressed $2 million in costs out of North Haven in the past 18 months,” Freda responded. “We identify superfluous costs which do not affect the residents and cut them, such as not replacing positions or consolidating positions.”

“We have also been working hard to consolidate energy costs,” he added.

Spader responded, “We’re already running a bare bones system at town hall, but sometimes, there are still costs that can be avoided. You’ve got to live within your budget, and you’ve got to make sure that town employees are living within theirs. You’ve got to have the wherewithal to say ‘no’ when that special request comes in.”

Amato reiterated his idea for a new, full-time economic development position. “It comes down to this,” he said. “We need someone to bring businesses into town.”

Speaker Don Clark recalled that Freda had frequently pledged enhanced economic development during his victorious 2009 run for town hall. Clank wondered, two years later, whether Freda’s economic development efforts could be considered successful.

“A lot of Freda’s mailers back then did make the promise for economic development,” Spader said. “It turned out to be a lot more difficult to get accomplished in two years.”

Freda replied, “There’s no question we’re in difficult economic times, but I just try to compartmentalize that issue. I will work to control what I can control. One thing that differs from town to town is the different levels of the first selectman’s integrating into the business community. We are out there, every day, touting North Haven to the business community.”

Gary again called for a full-time economic development staffer. “I’m not going to make promises — I’m going to make guarantees. We’re going to have a full-time economic development employee in here,” he said. “It’s what they’re going to do full-time. And they’re going to get results, or they won’t be there next year.”