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At the first and only scheduled forum for Bowie's Nov. 3 city election, candidates in contested races discussed topics ranging from how to reduce speeding in the city to how to best handle foreclosed homes.

Each of the candidates but one — Samuel Graham, who is running for mayor — appeared at the forum, which was held Oct. 14 at the Bowie Senior Center. The election will feature three contested races — for mayor, a position held by incumbent G. Frederick Robinson; for the city council seat in District 2, which is held by Diane Polangin; and for two at-large seats on the council, which are held by Dennis Brady and Geraldine Valentino-Smith.

Piero "Pete" Mellits is challenging Polangin, while Anthony Kennedy is challenging Brady and Valentino-Smith. Approximately 60 residents attended the forum, which was sponsored by the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce.

Answering questions posed by members of the chamber and the audience, Polangin and Mellits differed on how to address speeding problems in the city.

Mellits, a manager of a civil engineering firm, said he would like to see city police become more visible in slowing speeders. Polangin, a tax preparation specialist, said she favors the installation of speed cameras in school zones to combat the problem, but added that she would like to see more research on other initiatives, such as speed humps, to access where their installation might prove most cost-effective.

The three at-large candidates offered differing approaches to battling foreclosure and the eyesore of abandoned homes in Bowie.

Brady, an electrical engineer, said the city can provide more outreach to those in danger of foreclosure so they can receive help before their home is lost. Valentino-Smith, a former nurse and attorney who is now a stay-at-home mother, cited the city's mortgage assistance initiative, which she sponsored last year, as an innovative way to help new families move into vacant houses in the city. The program offers up to $1,000 in city funding for closing costs on a first home in Bowie for city employees, police officers and teachers.

Kennedy, the CEO of a nonprofit organization, said community groups could help to maintain vacant houses.

"Otherwise they can become sources of drugs and hangouts," he said.

The candidates also diverged on how they would spend a hypothetical $1 million budget windfall.

Polangin suggested the money go toward the police department first, followed by increased staffing at fire departments, and finally toward speed reduction programs. Mellits said he would like residents to weigh in on the matter so that the money would go toward a project that would benefit most residents.

Brady proposed putting the money in reserve, while Valentino-Smith said she would use the money to bring the city police force up to its proposed full unit of 57 officers, thereby allowing it to do more investigative work.

Kennedy said he would put the money first toward youth reading and outreach programs.

Councilmen James Marcos of District 1, Todd Turner of District 3 and Isaac Trouth of District 4 — none of whom face challengers — and Robinson delivered only opening statements in the forum.

Resident Mountaga Bah, who lives in District 3, said the forum gave him the chance to assess the candidates' leadership abilities.

"To have people voting for you, you have to show some credentials in Bowie," Bah said. "People are very involved here."

E-mail Andrea Noble at anoble@gazette.net.