They also concur that the city must carefully control that growth.

Former Campbell County Judge-executive Lloyd Rogers is one of two challengers hoping to unseat the six incumbents.

"They need some experience," Rogers, 71, said of the council. "And if I don't have any experience at my age...."

He boasts of having brought the Kahn's meat plant to Claryville while judge-executive during the mid-1980s.

The other challenger, Larry C. Leap Jr., pledges to support no tax increases and a city planning process that listens to citizens about growth. He hopes to lure non-polluting industries for their "living-wage jobs."

"Once the sewer sanction is lifted, this area is going to explode," said incumbent Barbara D. Weber. In addition to guiding growth, she and others now on council said they plan to oversee the renovation of the Main Street Baptist Church into a new city building and community center.

Aside from Weber, the incumbents in the race are Bobbi Farmer, David Hart, Stacey L. Graus, Ellis P. Lang and John Stein.

Those on council also are proud of the park the city is building that will pay tribute to past, present and future police and firefighters, and everyone else who serves their communities and nation.

E-mail mrutledge@enquirer.com