I want to say how impressed I was with the entire mayoral debate process at the Auburn Avenue Theater (on Oct. 15). The moderator was well spoken and professional. The students who greeted us were pleasant and seemed genuinely excited about the event. Everyone responsible for this debate should be proud. Kudos.

As for the debate itself, I didn’t learn anything new. I know Pete Lewis is well-spoken, if not a little slick, and Virginia Haugen is a wild card. I believe they both have a genuine interest in Auburn, and my decision comes down to a simple thing: Who do I trust?

Virginia Haugen will get my vote. Not because of her experience, and not because I think she’s a “genius” (she’ll tell you herself, she isn’t …) but because I believe her when she says she’ll be surrounded by people smarter than herself and try to steer Auburn to real growth and a real vibrant downtown.

I’m tired of driving through the core of our city and seeing a big, gaping hole. Pete Lewis may or may not be responsible for that mess, but I certainly think someone needs to be held accountable for what appear to be colossal failures at “redevelopment.”

I say it’s time to play the wild card. Virginia Haugen for Mayor.

– Bonnie Nygren