If Iraq is what President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry love to spar about, the proposed utility tax that the city wants to impose on its residents is fast becoming the hot button issue of the local elections.

Mayor Ann Waltonsmith, who is running for re-election, showed up with Aileen Kao and Andy Barnes, the two challengers in the fray for council seats, at an election forum organized by the League of Women Voters at the Saratoga Library.

Waltonsmith and Kao, who are running together on a slate, relentlessly repeated that a new tax for residents was the only way to go. Barnes' message was that there were other ways to raise money instead of asking the people to pay more taxes.

The community room of the local library is not where most people might want to be on a Friday evening. Even so, around 60 people came by to listen and ask questions. Many were there to find out more about how much the new tax was going to cost each month, some were there to support their friends running for office.

The candidates were given two minutes for opening statements. After that they answered questions from the audience passed through the League moderator.

Waltonsmith talked about keeping Saratoga rural and beautiful, and said that she had helped solved the West Valley College stadium issue.

"I want to keep Saratoga safe, quiet and beautiful for its residents," she said. "But it costs money to maintain the quality of life." She then launched into a vigorous defense of the utility tax measure that is also on the ballot for the Nov. 2 election. "There are cracks in the roads everywhere. We need to repair them," she said.

Kao, too, spoke of the need for the new tax. She also stressed the need to work with the chamber of commerce and residents to bring more business to the city.

Andy Barnes, who had run and failed to win a seat on the city council in the last election, talked about the challenges he had faced in his career as a businessman and a pilot.

"After flying an airplane for 30 years, I have learned to care for the safety of everyone," said Barnes. "I have a vision for Saratoga."

Once the questions began to be asked, the debate became more free flowing. Barnes said that Saratoga would be better served with a bond because it would specify what the money would be raised for. Both Kao and Waltonsmith said that bonds end up being more expensive in the long run.

The issue of soccer fields, a passionate topic in the city, was also brought up. Barnes said that if elected, he would actively explore the option of talking to West Valley College and using its facilities for more soccer. Waltonsmith said that she wanted to talk with the school districts to use their facilities, too.

The use of the North Campus, a piece of property the city purchased two years ago, sparked some lively discussion. Waltonsmith said that she was in favor of developing it slowly and maybe using it as an alternative facility for the senior center.

"To this day no one knows what the plan is for the North Campus. No one knows why it was bought and what it is going to be used for," said Barnes.

The issue of the state taking away more money was also discussed.

During their closing statements, all the candidates talked about the need to preserve Saratoga and keep it beautiful.

As the meeting concluded, small groups of people huddled outside talking. Most of the conversation was about the utility tax.

"They all did pretty well. They spoke clearly and candidly," said Steve Lin. But Lin was concerned that there was talk of raising taxes again.

Vinod Malhotra was there with his wife, Neema. "I am going to make sure to go and vote for Andy Barnes on Nov. 2. I do not want to pay any more tax," said Vinod. "Why don't they use the facilities we have? We have such a lavish library."

Neema Malhotra added that people become much more politically active when it starts affecting them in terms of money.

"The North Campus is a white elephant. The city should get rid of it," added Vinod Malhotra.

Patrick Lo, another resident, said that he was leery of giving more money to the government. "I also feel that there is not enough information about the utility tax and how the city spends its money," said Lo.

Marj Ottenberg, another resident who attended the meeting, said that Saratoga's roads and infrastructure needed to be repaired. She said that Saratogans might have to pay more later if they decided not to pay now.