Lansing mayoral candidates Tony Benavides and Virg Bernero met on campus Monday, in the first and only "official" debate of the 2003 election, to challenge each other's views on issues including same-sex benefits, public safety and recent allegations.

The two men came together at the WKAR television studios in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building for the debate, which was moderated by "Off the Record" host Tim Skubick and WKAR radio host Matt Ferguson.

The format of the event was open-ended and listeners to WKAR's live radio broadcast were invited to call in with questions.

The first question asked was whether Benavides had purposefully started rumors that Bernero pulled his daughter out of the Lansing Public School system because she was dating a black student. Although Benavides vehemently denied such speculation, Bernero said he believed the candidate had approved the "whisper campaign."

"I'm almost speechless at Tony's continued denial," Bernero said. "I think it's one of the lowest tactics that's ever been used in Lansing's history."

Bernero added that residents had expressed concerns over his racial views while he campaigned in neighborhoods.

"I believe he's benefited from it," he said.

When the subject of public safety was addressed, Bernero wasted no time in stating his belief that Benavides had made a mistake by cutting positions in Lansing police and fire departments - adding that he would reinstate community policing and DARE, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, programs in the city if elected.

Benavides maintained that the crime rate in Lansing has dropped in recent years, and the cuts were absolutely necessary.

Benefits for members of same-sex relationships also were addressed during the event.

Benavides said that although he is against such benefits, he would sign off on them on an individual basis if the issue was negotiated and approved by a union.

Bernero said he would support same-sex benefits "if the city can afford it."

When all was said and done, both candidates seemed pleased with the event.

"I thought it was a wonderful opportunity," Bernero said. "As candidates for an important office like this, we ought to be on TV more. That's where people get their information, and there's no reason why we shouldn't have a couple more televised debates."

Although Benavides said there will be no such further debates, he felt that Monday's opportunity was useful.

"It went well," he said. "The people of this community will have a better feeling of how I stand on the issues and how I'm going to address them once I get elected."

The debate will be broadcast at 9 p.m. today on public television station WKAR.