Candidates competing for Muskogee’s mayoral post and four City Council ward seats shared their positions on six issues Thursday night during the first moderated forum of the 2012 campaign.

The topics ranged from how to reduce violent crimes and economic development to labor rights and improved relations between the city and its citizens. Thirteen of the 14 candidates who attended the event also discussed ward voting and ways to promote small, local businesses in a market dominated by chain stores. Ward II Councilor Shawn Raper, the incumbent, did not attend.

Tom Kendrick, who has lived in Muskogee much of his life, said he attended the forum in search of candidates “interested in moving Muskogee forward.”

“We have to develop pride in Muskogee again,” Kendrick said before the forum began. “That’s the only thing lacking other than jobs.”

At the conclusion of the two-and-a-half-hour event, Kendrick said he thought the forum proved effective but got off to a “shaky start.”

“At first, they (the candidates) were kind of pointing fingers at the community and giving general impressions,” Kendrick said. “But they did finally get down to offering some solutions.”

An issue that hasn’t been discussed much but got some attention during the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2465-sponsored forum at the Roxy Theater, was the apparent divide between the city and its citizens.

That divide was blamed on a perceived failure of city officials to listen to citizens’ concerns and a lack of communication. The issue drew stern rebukes from some candidates and gentler admonitions from others.

“We need to quit playing politics with the people in this town — there’s no trust,” Ward II candidate Dan Hall said. “We need to build trust. I promise I’m not here to play politics with you.”

Practically all the candidates advocated open-door policies and improved communications within and without city government.

Ward I candidate Lee Ann Langston went a step further, advocating the repeal of an ordinance that bars city councilors from speaking with employees outside the presence of administrators. Gary Cooper Jr., a Ward I challenger, said trust will only come “when we start respecting one another.”

Candidates will meet again Thursday morning during a forum sponsored by the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce. That event will be at 7:30 at the Muskogee Civic Center.

Muskogee’s municipal election is Feb. 14. Early voting begins Friday.

Muskogee voting districts: www.muskogeeonline.org/images/uploads/dept_014/CouncilWards2011.jpg

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.