At a debate Thursday, Santa Clarita City Council incumbents highlighted their experience and the city's strengths — a balanced budget and a well-funded Sheriff’s Department in a difficult economy — while challengers said fresh blood is needed at City Hall to address old problems.

And at times the back and fourth between the three incumbents and five challengers drew laughs from the crowd.

“When you go to the Super Bowl you don’t pull Peyton Manning from the starting lineup because he has been on the team too long,” said Councilman Frank Ferry. “You have 12 years of leadership from this council with on-time budgets, in the black, with reserves.”

“I know Peyton Manning, and Mr. Ferry, you are no Peyton Manning,” candidate David Gauny responded.

For about 90 minutes, the eight candidates discussed local issues — from government transparency to the perceived second-class status of Canyon Country — in Santa Clarita City Hall. The debate was hosted by KHTS Radio, SCVTV and The Signal about a month before the April 13 election.

Candidates Kenneth Mann, Johnny Pride and David Galvan did not participate in the debate.

When asked how they would manage future development projects in the city, all candidates agreed that development in the SCV needs to be low-density and create local jobs.

Harrison Katz, 19, said a youth perspective on the council would be important because future generations will inherit problems associated with dense development like increased traffic congestion.

“Some of the effects of these projects won’t be felt for five, 10, 15 or even 20 years,” Katz said. “It’s going to be my generation that inherits this valley and my generation that’s going to inherit these problems. (Youth) need to have a say in what’s going on.”   

The candidates were also asked how transparent local government is to Santa Clarita residents.

Henry Schultz and TimBen Boydston said a transparent local government is directly related to an informed and engaged public. Schultz used Santa Clarita’s budget as an example saying that, although it is posted online, without an expert’s help it’s almost impossible for residents to understand how their tax money is being spent.  

“Transparency is generated by having people ask questions,” Schultz said. “A public that is not involved with their city is not going to help transparency. The more questions you ask, the more transparent things will become.”