District 6 City Council candidate Julie Chamberlain picked up the endorsement of the SETPAC non-partisan political action group on Friday.

SETPAC officials said Ms. Chamberlain, who is a realtor, narrowly won over Carol Berz. There were 25 voting members.

Ms. Chamberlain and Ms. Berz took part in a SETPAC forum at noon Friday along with Charles Shaw, Barbara Kelley and Melinda Hickey. The sixth candidate, Rick Igou, said earlier he would not set foot in the Mountain City Club because the "power structure" holds forth there.

Most of the candidates said they believe Marti Rutherford, who resigned her District 6 post over a residency flap, should give back the salary she was paid over a two-year period when it was declared by City Attorney Randy Nelson that she actually lived in District 5. However, Ms. Hickey said she believes Ms. Rutherford earned the pay.

Ms. Hickey, who said she is supported by Ms. Rutherford in the current race, said Ms. Rutherford had told her early in the last term that she was advised her residency status was OK.

Ms. Hickey said, "I supported Marti when she was going through what was done to her." She said actions against Ms. Rutherford were "mean-spirited."

On the payback, she said Ms. Rutherford "did a good job. She worked for her money."

Ms. Hickey said of the residency issue, "I don't support what she did. I hope she doesn't make that mistake again."

Ms. Chamberlain, who ran against Ms. Rutherford in the last election, said, "I knew then that she didn't live in the district."

Ms. Chamberlain said she tried to get help from the election office on the issue, but was told by election officials that they are "not an investigatory agency."

Ms. Chamberlain said, "If they are not going to verify where the candidates live, then who is? They need to get out and do some checking."

Several candidates said the city attorney should make public his advice on whether to proceed with trying to collect the Rutherford pay of some $52,000.

Ms. Berz said, "I'm not hearing the city attorney's advice. That's what he is paid for."

She said of the Rutherford residency situation, "Fraud is fraud. To say that it is anything else is less than honest. We cannot condone dishonesty in government."

Ms. Chamberlain said, "I don't see how she can pay it back if you don't file charges. The city attorney needs to speak up on this."

Ms. Kelley, widow of former Mayor Ralph Kelley, said, "I think she served the time and deserves the salary."

Several candidates said they would support mandatory collective bargaining, but Mr. Shaw was opposed.

Several also said they are for a renewed attempt to take over the privately owned water company.

Mr. Shaw said Brainerd is languishing. He said, "We've got to create a buzz - something that is cute and popular."

He said Japanese cherry trees should line Brainerd Road and the district should get a botanical garden.

Ms. Hickey said more city funds need to come to Brainerd for sidewalks and other needs. She said, "I would like to see some of the money come through the tunnel."

Ms. Berz said she had resisted running for public office before, but decided to do so after working on a paper on the subject of political apathy.