City council candidates weighed in on last term's sanctions against Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley at a meeting held by the Seaway Kiwanis Club Tuesday.
Ian Hope said Bradley's behaviour wasn't good, but it was consistent with his "tough management" style displayed in the past.
"His behaviour was badly managed by absolutely everybody involved. I don't think it had to go to the limits that it did" said Hope. "The lawsuits were not justified, Bradley's behaviour itself was reprehensible, and his refusal to apologize was not good. Nobody, nobody from start to finish covered themselves with glory in that situation."
Matt McDonald and Joe Hill also expressed how Bradley's behaviour was disrespectful.
Candidates Norm Francoeur and Denise Robertson remained neutral on the matter.
Francoeur said it's important to keep an open mind.
"I just want to start off on even footing with whichever mayor wins," said Francoeur. "I don't want to have to work from a negative position, and start from ground zero, and work our way forward when we start a new council. The citizens will tell me whether or not the mayor has been punished too much or too little."
Candidates Margaret Bird and John Parker didn't agree with the sanctions, and Joe Santoro said the infighting on council wasn't as bad as the media made it seem.
The Centennial Park remediation project was also discussed among the candidates, and Denise Robertson talked about ways to increase Sarnia's population. She said she wants to attract all age groups to the community, including those over 50 years old.
There are 12 candidates running for the four dual city-county council positions, including incumbents Andy Bruziewicz, Bev MacDougall, Dave Boushy and Brian White.
28 people are seeking one of Sarnia' four city council seats.
Matt Mitro is the only incumbent in that race.