To the incumbents, Newport is a progressive, vibrant and exciting place that is on a two-decade roll of shedding its past and building toward its future with riverfront development, new housing and an engaged city government.

"The biggest thing you need to ask yourself before you go into the polling place is, 'Are things better in Newport now than they were 10 years ago?' " said Commissioner Jan Knepshield.

"Is Newport a better place to live? Do I feel safe in Newport?

"If you can answer yes ... then you have the right people on the commission," Knepshield said.

To the challengers, Newport is a place that has had some successes but is stumbling as the policies of a disconnected government leave poorer neighborhoods and residents behind in favor of glitzy riverfront development and high-priced homes few of the people living here can afford.

"Something is wrong in Newport," said challenger John Hayden, who claimed a vote to establish a sexually oriented business zone on the city's West Side was done in private.

"Newport doesn't end on Third Street," Hayden said in a swipe at the incumbents, whom he described as so concerned about riverfront development that other areas are neglected. "We need some new blood."

The forum, held before an overflow crowd of more than 90 at the Campbell County Library Newport Branch and broadcast live on ICN6 cable, was a political showdown between the status quo and the agents of change.

Former mayor and eight-time commissioner Johnny "TV" Peluso, a legendary name in Newport politics, said the city is being mismanaged and needs to do more to attract new residents. Newport's population has been declining for years.

But Mayor Tom Guidugli said more than 300 new units of housing will be built over the next few years. He and other incumbents also said all votes, including the vote establishing the sexually oriented business zone, are taken in public.

Peluso said Newport on the Levee, a major draw, is mainly for young people and not "classy enough" for older residents.

Hayden said tax breaks given to developers of the Levee and the adjacent Newport Aquarium are "depriving" schools of money.

Commissioner Robbie Hall said riverfront development has spurred other projects, including the Hofbrauhaus German restaurant, upscale houses on Wiedemann Hill and the planned retail center in the former Cote Brillante neighborhood along Interstate 471.

"On all these properties together before, the school board was getting $81,814," Hall said. "Currently, they're getting $648,165. I think that's tremendous for the school board."

Commissioner Beth Fennell warned voters to be careful about listening to campaign rhetoric and campaign promises. She said the current commission has delivered new development, an improved partnership with the Newport schools and an increased emphasis on attracting and fostering the arts in the city.

"We need to continue to pump a large amount of our revenue from development into quality of life issues," she said.

"That would be police, fire, street improvements, code enforcement, parks, recreation ... all those things that are most important to residents."

Challenger Rick Buechel was the least critical of the incumbents, though he did say he would like to see expanded enforcement of the juvenile curfew.

"My goal is to move Newport forward at a steady pace," he said.

Mayoral candidate Sam Gassert chided incumbents for "ignoring" an alleged private sex club on Monmouth Street, and said he would never use eminent domain to take property for development.

"You don't take a person's home," Gassert said. "If you elect me mayor, the only time I'll put a sex business in your neighborhood is as soon as I have one in my back yard first."

And challenger Jeff Ballard said many residents, including those on the West Side, "deserve a voice on the commission."

"You need someone who will listen," Ballard said. "Newport has made a number of tremendous strides ... but it is time to elect someone with a new and fresh perspective."

Ballard said his work in the military and in management for the Internal Revenue Service gives him the experience to "reinvent government that costs less and serves the people."

Commissioner Jerry Peluso, a 17-year incumbent, said his platform for the next two years includes providing additional affordable housing for seniors, improving residential parking, stricter code enforcement on blighted or poorly kept property and expanding the city's historic districts, a move that would protect established neighborhoods.

He also said comments that the commission has turned away from some neighborhoods is wrong.

"Regardless of who you are, what street you live on or what part of the city you live in, I'll always be there for you and I'll always listen to you," Peluso said.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com