TEMECULA -- There is at least one issue the five contenders for two City Council seats agree on: none of them want to see a quarry built in the hills southwest of the city limits.

That consensus was established at a candidate forum Wednesday at the Temeku Hills Clubhouse. More than 80 people attended the two-and-a-half hour event.

While the candidates agreed on what they don't want, they differed on what they envision as the priorities of the city, such as the need for a police station, how redevelopment funds are used, where affordable housing should be located, how nonprofits should be supported and how much involvement residents should have in local government decisions.

The five candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot are Albert Abbott, 29, an office manager; Rita Hernandez, 73, a retiree; incumbent Mike Naggar, 46, a businessman; James Stewart, 47, a businessman; and incumbent Chuck Washington, 55, a pilot.

The forum was moderated by local television journalist Bill Loren, and questions were posed by audience members as well as a panel consisting of Charolette Fox, president of the League of Women's Voters in Southwest Riverside County, Temecula Valley Unified School District President Barbara Tooker and John Hunneman, a columnist for The Californian.

Among the more provocative questions from the panel was "Does Temecula need rescuing?" alluding to efforts by a citizens group, Rescue Temecula. That group has been publicly critical of City Council decision and filed two recent complaints alleging conflict of interest violations by Naggar and Councilman Jeff Comerchero.

"Rescuing from what?" asked Washington before he asserted that the city' is the "economic engine" of Southwest County and has a budget surplus.

Washington said if he were re-elected to a second term, his top three priorities would be to bolster health care services -- primarily with the opening of a hospital, a project approved by the council -- establishing a four-year public university and focusing on the needs of youth.

Abbott said Temecula does indeed need to be rescued "from overspending." Abbott said his top three priorities as a City Council member would be to alleviate traffic, increase the amount of affordable housing and draw more high-paying jobs to Temecula. Abbott said the city should be saying "whoa" to new housing construction, instead of "giddy-up." He said it would be more prudent to encourage growth in the city's industrial and business parks.

Addressing the question of "Has the population of Temecula 'topped out?'" Naggar said that while he doesn't envision many more homes to be built, he said there is a possibility the city could continue growing with potential annexations of the Silverhawk area in the city's northeastern section.

Naggar said if he were elected to a third term on the council, his top three priorities would be to usher in the groundbreaking for the hospital, the construction of the proposed French Valley Parkway interchange, which would create another onramp and offramp at Interstates 15 and 215 in Temecula, and building a permanent campus for the Cal State San Marcos extension in the city that opened its doors this fall.

Hernandez said her top three issues would be creating a gathering place for the city's teen and young adult population, a second senior center and relieving traffic. Hernandez said she could offer something the incumbent cannot: a fresh perspective on the council.

"These council positions are not meant to be lifetime positions," said Hernandez. "Council members are elected to serve and listen -- something this council does not always do."

Stewart said topping his list of priorities would be to build a police station within the city limits, have the proposed hospital open its doors and make sure the growth of Wine Country east of the city is in keeping with the needs of Temecula's residents.

Stewart credited much of Temecula's current success to the work of the nonelected city staff members.

Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.

CORRECTION: Video won't be on city site

An article that ran on the front page of Thursday's edition of The Californian, "Temecula candidates unanimous: No quarry," incorrectly stated that Wednesday evening's forum at Temeku Hills would be available for viewing on the city of Temecula Web site. It will not. In addition, the first candidate forum, hosted by the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, took place on Oct. 7.

We apologize.