(Posted with permission from The Signal) At a debate Thursday, City Council incumbents highlighted their experience and Santa Clarita’s strengths — a balanced budget and a well-funded Sheriff’s Department in a difficult economy — while challenges said fresh blood is needed at City Hall to address old problems.

And at times the back and forth between the three incumbents and five challengers drew laughs from the crowd.

“When you go to the Super Bowl you don’t pull Peyton Manning from the starting lineup because he has been on the team too long,” said Councilman Frank Ferry. “You have 12 years of leadership from this council with on-time budgets, in the black, with reserves.”

Read more here: City Council candidates spar at debate