MANKATO — Every one of the six people running for three Mankato City Council seats say they want to give back to a city that’s given to them. But what makes them different from each other? Do they have any ideas? Priorities?

Race-by-race, here’s what their answers to 13 questions Tuesday evening at a forum organized by Greater Mankato Growth showed. It was hosted by AmericInn Hotel and Conference Center.

In the 5th Ward, Jack Considine is seeking a fourth term and is challenged by Joe Steck.

They rarely agreed, with Steck questioning the city’s downtown spending and Considine’s support for a prevailing wage law. Steck also criticized what he saw as the lack of budget scrutiny on the council.

Even on a question asking the candidates to name their opponent’s biggest strength, Steck said, “You’ve done a great job but I think it’s time for a change and we have to pull back.”

Considine said he didn’t know Steck well, but had heard he was a caring father.

They differed on business subsidies (Steck opposes them, Considine supports them in some cases) and on a question about how they would address the city’s “single-most important opportunity or issue.”

None of the candidates (in any of the races) really answered the question about what they would do, instead resorting to vague statements about getting more people involved or attracting jobs.

As for the issue itself, Considine said it was collaboration, whether with neighborhood organizations or getting more people involved in general.

Steck said Hilltop businesses are “being short-changed left and right” by taxes that send their money to downtown Mankato.

In the 3rd Ward, two-term Councilman Mark Frost is challenged by Carie Robb.

In her opening statement, Robb said she’s interested in collaboration, civil dialogue with North Mankato, consolidation of services and the safety of the city.

Frost told a brief story about how he ended up in Mankato for its quality of life.

On what they would do for the city’s most important issue, the candidates agreed jobs and business should be the priority, though neither had any specific ideas on the issue.

Robb said the city has “to be cooperative” and Frost said the city should do “outreach to business.”

On a question about business subsidies, Robb said the correct approach is to provide infrastructure while Frost emphasized the competition among cities for businesses.

As for the city’s relationship with North Mankato, Frost suggested disagreements have been blown out of proportion by the media. He said he has the North Mankato mayor on speed dial, but after the meeting could not recall the last time the councils have met despite being one of the two council members who are liaisons with North Mankato. He thought it was about a year ago.

Robb said civil dialogue with North Mankato can lead to some collaboration with services.

Karen Foreman and Najwa Massad are vying for the open 1st Ward seat. They may have been the most similar competitors; both said they were running because Mankato is a great place to live and they want to give back.

They also said the city’s most important issue is growth, agreed Mankatoans are happy with their city and said it should work to maintain businesses.

Aside from their backgrounds — Foreman moved to Mankato in 1987 and has worked for Minnesota State University and Massad emigrated from Lebanon to the United States in 1960 and operated hospitality businesses — there was little clash between the pair.

One final question: If 20 people attend a Mankato City Council debate for races representing 60 percent of the city’s population, does that mean the city is apathetic, satisfied or just too busy?

Unsurprisingly, incumbents Mark Frost and Jack Considine said people are satisfied with their city — Frost used phrase “tickled pink” — but even the challengers said people are just busy, not angry.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.