"I ask the voters to honestly consider which candidate actually has the history that backs up his promises of being able to deliver for downtown," he said. "I think the honest answer is Rep. Becker really has no relevant record in regards to downtown that would support his promises. By contrast, I've been working on this issue every day as a City Council member for the last eight years. I have tangibles I can show so voters can have confidence when they vote for me that I'll be able to do what I say I will."

Becker said he welcomes his opponent's ideas for downtown but wonders why they came so late in the campaign. The election is Nov. 6.

"Reinvigorating downtown as the gathering place for the region is one of my highest priorities," he said. "That's why I released my detailed blueprint for downtown over two months ago — before the primary (election). I'm pleased that Dave Buhler decided to join the discussion about downtown (Friday) morning."

Becker restated the key points of his blueprint for downtown in a press release Friday afternoon without responding to Buhler's assessment of his legislative record on downtown.

"Everywhere I go, I hear that people are getting a bit weary of Dave Buhler's negativity and attacks," Becker said. "I can't control how he conducts his campaign. So today I'd rather focus in a positive way on how we can improve the downtown area over the next four years."

Becker's blueprint for downtown calls for expanding downtown housing options for all income levels; bringing art and artists downtown; locating major cultural and government facilities downtown; revising laws that restrict the location and number of restaurants, bars and other venues with liquor licenses downtown; and implementing Downtown Rising and the Downtown Transportation Plan.

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com