 Candidates for the Bemidji City Council award four seats squared off at Bemidji City Hall in a forum over issues important to not only award four, but the city as well. The top two candidates that emerged from the special primary election back on March 14th answered questions ranging from annexation to the role the city should play when it comes to developing properties. Another issue that was discussed was the ongoing issues concerning the Sanford Center and its management company, VenuWorks. I'm not so sure that the house has been there yet. There doesn't seem to be as much going on over there as I would like to see as when I'm hearing from the people that I've talked to would like to see. And so I do think that I don't know if new management is going to make a difference. I think if it's management that's not getting it filled, which that's their obligation, that's their job, but if it's not getting if it's not getting filled we need to know why. I don't know for sure if we need new management. I do not want to see the city try to manage this event center. I think that we've hired VenuWorks and I don't know that they've done the best job that we could have asked them to do. I think they've had some management issues within their own company that have created issues for the Sanford Center. But I think there's a bigger cause of why that center is not full and not being a profitable center. The Ward 4 special election will be held Tuesday May 2nd with voting at Bemidji City Hall from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Ballots are currently available if you would like to vote absentee. You must be a registered voter in Ward 4 or be able to provide proof of residency to register. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.