Forget riverfront stadiums.

        The issue of remodeling Cincinnati's riverfront took a back seat to the more mundane but equally important issues of running the billion-dollar Hamilton County government when commission candidates Todd Portune and Bob Bedinghaus squared off in debate Tuesday.

        Stadium issues have dominated previous debates between the two candidates. Mr. Portune, a Democratic Cincinnati councilman, is challenging Republican Mr. Bedinghaus for his seat on the commission.

Portune

Bedinghaus

        No Democrat has been elected to the office since Vince Beckman in 1964.

        In an appearance before the Enquirer editorial board, the candidates were asked about a range of topics, from urban sprawl to population loss and development of western Hamilton County.

        Mr. Portune said the Re publican way of doing county business has broken the public's trust. This election, he said, is the public's opportunity to restore that trust by putting him in office.

        “We have a culture that exists in county government that is very closed-door and not representative of the public's interest,” Mr. Portune said. “There needs to be a diversity of thought on the commission.

        “We have an opportunity to clean house.”

        Mr. Bedinghaus said leadership is what the election is all about. The commissioner said he has been a leader to step up on issues in good times and bad. He has led the county through difficult changes in the child-support system, welfare reform and, yes, stadium development.

        “I put my neck on the line to move this community forward,” Mr. Bedinghaus said. “I represent the kind of leader that will be there in good times and in bad times.

        “Todd represents a leadership style that debates to death issue after issue after issue.”

        Mr. Bedinghaus said the county is losing population because the urban school districts are not “getting the job done.”

        He said it is important to provide the opportunity for development throughout the county and praised the commission's actions in devising a development and sewer plan for western Hamilton County.

        Councilman Portune said it is misguided to lay blame for population loss on the school districts.

        He said transportation policies, geared toward rebuilding infrastructure rather than building new highways, will help curb flight. He also said there needs to be an economic plan that emphasizes reinvestment in bedrock suburbs — such as Norwood, Reading and Montgomery — rather than expanding in rural areas.

        When asked how he would effect change over county departments headed by their own elected officials, Mr. Portune said:

        “We all know the power of the budget is huge. As you go through the budget process, you have the opportunity to ask questions and ask if important public policies are being carried out.”

        Mr. Portune also said he would invite county auditor Dusty Rhodes to check every facet of government operations.

        Mr. Bedinghaus said Mr. Portune doesn't know how county government operates. He said the commissioners have gone as far as they can by encouraging elected officials to effectively run their offices through pay plans and bonus incentives.

        The auditing of county government is the job of State Auditor Jim Petro, he said.

        “That would be a misuse of (the county auditor's) role,” Mr. Bed- inghaus said of involving Mr. Rhodes' office.

        The candidates also have different views on publicly funding the effort to win the 2012 Olympic Games: Mr. Bedinghaus said he has an open mind and will listen to the pitch; Mr. Portune said he likely would not support the request.

Tristate campaign cash flows steadily
Non-stadium issues debated
Race tension simmers at Amelia High
SAMPLES: Uncharmed
Crash kills longtime Southwest Ohio pilot
KKK seeks permit for Fountain Square cross
Laney targets Butler sheriff
Covington candidates to debate
Crack KOs ex-champ
CROWLEY: Anti-abortion leader on attack
Fairfield buys new siren system
Fairfield schools get new leader
Insurers' decisions awaited
Kenton to adjust payroll taxes
Ky. tax burden still above national average
Lakota levy called critical
Landfill loophole has city helpless
Lebanon makes promise to extend rail tracks
Lucas unveils political TV ads
Mason's anti-porn 'homework'
More Enquirer readers pick Bush in education survey
New sign-up method for magnet schools
Ohio board proposes more school funding
Panel sees problems in proficiency tests
Park chief: Ski lodge should be torn down
Secure living possible
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report