City Council candidates split on whether the city is on the right track to spur job creation during a forum sponsored by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture on Tuesday.

Candidates included District 1 incumbent Manuel Bersamin and challenger Gabriel Gonzalez; District 2 contenders Joe Ortiz and Luis Alejo; and District 6 incumbent Edward Din and challengers Emilio Martinez and Tony Gomez.

Answering a questions about economic development, Bersamin said the city has made progress with completion of the Civic Plaza at Main and Second streets to serve as a downtown draw and acquiring 90 acres on the city's west side for development of a business park with the potential for 2,100 new jobs.

Gonzalez, his opponent, said the city needed to do more, suggesting leaders consult with more economically successful cities like Santa Cruz and Salinas. Not only is the city not attracting companies, it's losing them, he said.

Din agreed, to a point, mentioning the loss of a frozen food processor and an aluminum plant last year, but said with the adoption of an economic development strategy in May the city is back on track and needs to "keep on task."

Martinez said city staff isn't doing a good job, and pointed to vacant buildings downtown to prove it. He said selective code enforcement is hurting the city, and that the downtown needs to be cleaned up. He also said staff needs to do a better job of working with business owners to get projects completed.

Gomez said the city needs to change its focus from housing to job creation and work to raise education levels so students are prepared for jobs when they graduate from high school.

Alejo said the city should work to attract jobs in the emerging green business sector. He advocated collaboration with other organizations, such as the chamber, the local school district and Cabrillo College, to bring those jobs. Cabrillo's plans to open a vocational center downtown offers the chance to train workers for the new field, he said.

Ortiz said a Wal-Mart would attract other businesses, and that people trying to start businesses need to encounter less "red tape."

Each candidate said he believed the airport was a critical part of the city's economy now and for the future.

Din, Ortiz, Gomez, Gonzalez and Martinez said they opposed city plans to permit housing development close by. Bersamin said he sees a future where vertical-lift aircraft will open new opportunities for the airport to become even more of an economic hub. Alejo said the discussion shouldn't be airport or housing. Both are needed.