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NAPLES — Both candidates for the Collier County Commission sincerely agree that maintaining the local economy is of utmost importance.

But they didn’t exactly agree on how to get there.

Naples’ Norris Center was the site of a debate between incumbent Commissioner Jim Coletta, Republican, and challenger Russell Kish, Democrat for the District 5 commission seat.

A panel pitched candidates timely questions: leasing of Alligator Alley, loss of impact fees due to a shrinking construction market, the high rate of foreclosures on homes, affordable housing and attracting jobs.

In his opening remarks, Kish noted that he is “not a political person.”

However, he said he believes he can view problems and make rational decisions.

“I’m tired of baloney politics ... a lot of talk and no action,” Kish said.

“I wanted to see if someone like me — a straight shooter with no backing from anyone — can make it into office,” Kish said. Later, he noted that he hasn’t served on any civic associations or political committees.

In contrast, Coletta rattled off a list of accomplishments since 1984, noting that before he was a county commissioner, he served as chairman of 14 different committees.

“I’ve done many different things (for) the pure enjoyment of doing it,” Coletta said, noting that he was first approached by friends in 1996 to run for commission. He lost, but he came back in 2000, and won. He again ran in 2004, unchallenged. Should he win Nov. 4, it would be Coletta’s third term.

Both Coletta and Kish favor addressing impact fees. Kish wants to lower them; Coletta wants to study them and, perhaps, defer them for a period of 30 years.

“If we can stimulate new construction, at least we’d get a tax base out of it,” Kish said.

Coletta wants to create a task force on impact fees. His idea to defer them for 30 years, would be “a tremendous savings for people,” he said.

Since growth is slowing as well as the economy, the candidates were asked if it was still necessary to proceed with reconstruction of Oil Well Road in the Ave Maria-Immokalee area.

Coletta said yes. Residents — and the three schools — along Oil Well Road have been waiting for this improvement for many years, hoping for more safety, he said. Currently, Oil Well Road is a two-lane mostly unpaved road, one lane in each direction.

Kish said he wasn’t familiar with the specifics, but observed that most of the growth is in that portion of District 5. He generally approved of the idea if the money is there and doesn’t get the county into debt. If the money is not there, “I’d like to put (the project) on the back burner,” Kish said.

They were in total agreement over the possible leasing of Alligator Alley, but not necessarily filing a lawsuit over it.

“Leasing is the dumbest thing I ever heard,” Kish said. As for suing the state? There are already too many lawsuits, Kish said.

Coletta strongly opposes leasing out Alligator Alley and endorses suing the state, so that the county at least has “a bargaining position.”

The subject of foreclosed homes elicited this reaction: Coletta said money formerly earmarked for affordable housing is now going to refurbish foreclosed homes.

Kish said that might well be a vehicle for out-of-work contractors.

However, Kish would like to keep the rehabilitation process in the private sector “as much as possible.”

Kish and Coletta disagree over affordable housing. Coletta believes there is no longer a need, as there is a plethora of reasonably priced real estate. Kish disagreed.

Even a $175,000 or $150,000 is a stretch — and “not a solution” — for people at the low end of the economy, he said.

Both Kish and Coletta believe that employment figures — now at 8.4 percent in Collier — can improve if people start developing industries other than construction and tourism, two of the county’s mainstays.

Finally, consolidation of fire districts with Emergency Medical Services got a “yes” from both Kish and Coletta.

“You’d have to get 35 fire commissioners who (each) get $6,000 a year to give up their jobs. (You’d be) eliminating their positions,” Kish said, pessimistic about pulling it off.

Coletta stressed that it can be done, and has been accomplished elsewhere, and would represent a great tax savings for residents as well as improved health, safety and welfare services.