Bordeau plays on Krahulec's home court

At the candidates forum sponsored by the Weirs Action Committee (WAC) last night incumbent city councilor Paul Bordeau, who faces a stiff challenge from Judy Krahulec, president of WAC, found out what it is like to play Duke at Duke. After brief introductory remarks from each candidate, Bordeau found himself working against aggressive presses and traps for much of the evening.

All the candidates in three contested races appeared at the forum. Fred Toll, the incumbent in Ward 3, sat alongside his challenger Doris Makely. And for the first time, Brenda Baer, who is running in Ward 4, appeared with her opponent, incumbent Jim Cowan. But the crowd, numbering between 50 and 60 and drawn predominantly from the Weirs, was full square behind their favorite daughter and wasted little time taking aim at her opponent.

Krahulec's husband, Robert, began the onslaught, asking Bordeau what he had done before joining the city council and what moved him to run for the office. Bordeau replied that he had volunteered in several capacities, chiefly coaching children and youth, and recalled that half in jest he told Mark Fraser, who represented Ward 1 on the council, that if he ran for mayor, he would run for city council. "I love this community," said Bordeau. "This is a little bit of payback."

That moved another Weirs resident to proclaim "He's done nothing for Ward 1. He hasn't done a thing for two years," and then ask Fraser, "Why are you supporting him?"

Fraser answered by pointing to Bordeau's support of the Akwa Soleil project, which prompted charges that Bordeau had "tried to shoot down" Rusty Bertholet's hotel at the Dexter Plaza.

"I'm sorry that's your perception," Bordeau said, insisting "I want to see him succeed" and explaining that by seeking concessions in return for the abandonment of a municipal right-of-way he was pursuing "a reasonable partnership between the city and Mr. Bertholet."

Next Bordeau was defending his vote against burying utilities on Lakeside Avenue. Explaining that he did not consider it high among the city's priorities, he asserted "if it comes up again, I will vote against it."

Krahulec suggested when Bordeau was not doing the wrong thing, he was doing nothing at all. "These people haven't seen the councilor in two years," she said. "I came forward because you don't return your phone calls."

"I feel like Custer at the Little Bighorn," said Bordeau.

Lou Gaynor, co-owner of the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound, jumped on Bordeau's suggestion that the city collect a per capita fee from beer tents, based on their permitted capacity. Bordeau explained he was simply looking for ways the city could cover the cost of providing police, fire and public works services during the rally. Gaynor said he could suggest "lots of ways the city could make money," but said, "don't pick on the beer tents."

Robert Krahulec began grilling Bordeau about the 4th of July, when, he said "Lawrence and Lowell take over the park." Comparing Bordeau unfavorably to "the candidate" — a reference to his wife — he said "you don't pay attention to what goes on down here."

After listening patiently, Bordeau smiled and asked "Are you saying Mr. Krahulec that you're supporting your wife's candidacy rather than mine?"

"You have treated me as if I should be at your beck and call exclusively," Bordeau told the crowd, openly acknowledging this was not a message the hometown crowd wished to hear. He explained, and not for the first time, that as a city councilor his duty was to balance and serve the best interests of the entire ward and the whole city.

"No one looks like they have blood on them," Makely said in her closing remarks. And, most likely, no one left with any more or any fewer votes than they came with, including Bordeau.