The two DeKalb mayoral candidates squared off in a Northern Star-sponsored debate at the Holmes Student Center on Wednesday night.

The debate focused on issues such as economic development, the liquor commission and a number of student issues.

Incumbent DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow described his take on the responsibility of the liquor commission.

“I happen to believe the state statute is very clear on who has the ultimate authority [on liquor issues], and it’s the mayor,” Sparrow said.

Opponent Frank Van Buer disagreed and adopted a stance similar to that of Sparrow’s predecessor Bessie Chronopoulos.

“I don’t know why the mayor thinks he is omniscient [and] doesn’t need to listen to advice,” Van Buer said.

Sparrow said he was not opposed to the liquor commission providing advice to the city council on policy issues.

The debate also touched on issues of student interest.

Both candidates agreed additional parking on Greek Row would be difficult to secure.

Van Buer said he thought an increase in shuttle buses may address the problem.

Sparrow cited proposed improvements along Garden Road to accommodate buses as a project already in the works to alleviate the situation.

Sparrow also said he had listened to students in the past about Greek Row issues of safety and lighting.

An audience member raised the issue of independence in local government and its ability to represent citizens of all political opinions.

“I believe very strongly that local government should be non-partisan, independent,” Van Buer said.

He also said Sparrow’s supporters have tried many things to make the mayoral race a partisan one.

Sparrow agreed local government should be independent of political differences.

“I’m not the guy who injected politics into this,” Sparrow. “[My opponent’s campaign] brought Sen. Durbin in to make his comments about me.”

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) visited DeKalb Feb. 25 to discuss Social Security but he also forayed into the April 5 municipal elections.

Spectators at the debate had their own issues which were not discussed to their full satisfaction.

“The issue I think wasn’t addressed . . . was the landlord-tenant issue,” said Eric Johnson, a senior political science major and Republican county board member.

It is always an issue which could use more discussion, he said.

Greek Row was another issue one audience member would have liked to heard more about.

The issue of Greek Row safety came up, anthropology graduate student Dave McCaig said, but there should have been more discussion of the recent violence which occurred there.