One of the subjects at the Springfield mayoral candidate forum Wednesday was far from new. People have been debating the proposed Hunter Lake for more than fifty years.

“We have to have a backup water source,” said Mayor Jim Langfelder. “The cities that grow in the future have to have a quality, reliable source of water. We have no backup plan. Our backup plan is damming the Sangamon River, and that would be catastrophic for the region.”

Buscher prioritizes recreation: “The only way this lake should be built would be if it is deep enough for sport fishing, has horseback riding trains, walking trails, camping – in addition to being the secondary water source.”

Buscher says she is running because the city needs change, and she can’t effect enough of it from the treasurer’s office. Langfelder says he’s accomplished a lot – including navigating the pandemic without layoffs – and he wants to finish the job in what would be a third and final term.

The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce put on the forum Wednesday at the Hoogland Center. The election is April 4.