NEWPORT - Given Newport's recent economic development victories, candidates for mayor and four city commission seats are debating what should happen next.

The Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee and Hofbrauhaus beer garden make the city a destination for people across the region. Mayor Tom Guidugli is getting used to hearing Ohioans praise Newport.

"Of course, I tell them we've still got a lot to do," said Guidugli, seeking a third and final, four-year term as mayor. "It's all starting to come together, but I'd like to be in office another four years to continue what we've been working on for really about the last 10 years."

Challenger Sam Gassert tried to encourage others, including Commissioner Jerry Peluso, to run before running himself, so Guidugli wouldn't run unopposed, like he did in 2000.

Gassert and some challengers for the four commission seats oppose some of the city's development methods, such as use of eminent domain to force owners to sell their property. "I'm totally against it," Gassert said. "A man's home is his castle."

He and others criticize what they call government secrecy.

"They put this sex zone in the West End without any public hearings," said challenger John C. Hayden, 23, a Northern Kentucky University law student.

The other three challengers are Jeff Ballard, Rick Buechel and Johnny "TV" Peluso, 80, the former mayor who was convicted in the mid-1980s of perjury and conspiracy, but whose voting- and officeholding rights were restored in 1999 by then-Gov. Paul Patton.

All four incumbent commissioners are seeking re-election: Jerry Peluso, Jan Knepshield, Beth Fennell and Robbie Hall.

E-mail mrutledge@enquirer.com