It was the plot twist no one expected — mayoral challenger Leon Potter showed up to debate after all, and not a moment too soon.

Potter arrived just minutes before the mayor’s portion of InMaricopa’s debate last night at Maricopa Library and Cultural Center. He was the only challenger among three in the city to participate after declining to attend April 26.

He and incumbent Mayor Nancy Smith played political football in front of a packed house of more than 100. A livestream of the debate was watched more than 6,800 times.

Growth, economic development

Smith opened the back half of last night’s debate addressing concerns about the city’s rapid growth through a brief presentation on how that growth affects funding for State Route 347, business development and bringing emergency services to the city.

She cited economist Elliott Pollack in saying slowing growth comes with the risk of losing out on commercial development and $4 million in public funding.

Pollack “said it would take 10-plus years to recover,” Smith cited. “Is that the Maricopa you want?”

Smith added the city’s position as one of the fastest-growing in the country has generated interest from commercial developers and hospitals.

“We’re in talks with all of them. They want to come because we’re the fifth fastest-growing city. That’s what makes their businesses work,” she said.

Potter retorted that as the key prong of his platform, he advocates slowing down growth to allow infrastructure to “catch up,” saying it’s a message he consistently hears from constituents.

“During this whole campaign, that’s all I heard,” he said. “I mention my platform and people rush to sign my petition to get on the ballot.”

He conceded potentially losing out on business opportunities is “a valid concern,” but advocated for focusing “on the residents we have right now.”

However, much like during his July 6 town hall, Potter did not provide tangibles on how he plans to make this happen other than with casting a lonely dissenting vote on zoning changes.

“I think it’s OK to dissent and have that discussion,” he said.

City manager’s home loan

The topic of City Manager Ben Bitter’s hiring and favorable home loan arose several times, with Potter calling it an “unnecessary risk” and Smith defending the city council’s choice.

Potter claimed it will take decades for the city to recover from that decision.

“I don’t think it was a necessary risk for the city to take,” he said, suggesting the city should have hired a manager who already lived in Maricopa — Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown, who was a candidate for the job.

However, Smith said the city council chose the best option and wouldn’t settle for a “second choice.”

“This is the CEO of the city of Maricopa. Think of it in terms of the guy who’s going to make things happen, big picture guy for the city of Maricopa,” she said. “If you want us to take the second choice, [Brown] was a wonderful candidate, but don’t you want the best? I want the best.”

She said the home loan, part of the city manager’s contract to relocate to Maricopa, is “paid out of a reserve that earns a little less than 3.8%, so that it actually makes the city money.”

Time in office

As the debate wrapped up, both candidates broached the challenger’s history of leaving office before serving a full term.

“I hate to point this point this out … he has stepped away from, to my knowledge, three positions midway through his term. That’s not acceptable,” Smith said.

She alluded to Potter resigning from his elected city council post halfway through his term a decade ago, as well as his roles with Maricopa Friends of the Library and the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce.

Potter responded he quit the council on moral grounds after irreconcilable disagreements with then-Mayor Christian Price. This time, he vows to serve the full four-year term if elected, regardless.

“I’m stepping up because I cannot and will not turn a blind eye. I love this city, I love the public and I’m going to be committed,” he said. “I’m committed to being mayor and stay in office and I will not step down, come hell or high water. I will be mayor.”