All but one of Raleigh's city council seats are being contested. The early morning debate was not very well attended, but it did offer anopportunity for opponents to meet face to face. Most of the debate focusedon managed growth, traffic, and taxes.
Many of the candidates got their first chance to talk about the issuestogether. In the race for mayor, three candidates showed up. Republicanincumbent Tom Fetzer, Democrat Venita Peyton, and Democrat Robert Sessoms.Peyton and Fetzer had the most heated exchange. Peyton, referring toaccusations of closed door meetings among some current council members,said Raleigh needs more open leadership.
Fetzer responded by defending his own record on being available toconstituents.
Sessoms, 21, got into the mayor's race to show that his generation isnot apathetic when it comes to local politics.
Several other mayoral candidates were not in attendance.
Voter's guides are available at the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Theyinclude lists of all candidates and their platforms, and answers a number ofquestions voters might have.
If you want to vote, but you're going to be out of town, you mustrequest an absentee ballot by five o'clock today.Disabled voters have until Monday to make their requests.The board of elections office is located in 300 block of South SalisburyStreet in downtown Raleigh.
Photographer:Keith Baker
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