Potential voters walked into the Roxy Theater wanting to know what mayoral candidates would do to improve Muskogee’s quality of life and assurances of trustworthiness.

Some say the candidates’ responses during the Phoenix sponsored debate Tuesday were less than satisfying.

But they also said they heard enough from Hershel McBride and John Tyler Hammons to walk out with their minds made up.

“I thought it was a good debate,” said Ronnie Stroud, a local antiques dealer who has attended about every organized debate this election cycle. “I don’t think I heard everything I wanted to hear, but it was enough to help me decide.”

Stroud said he will be among those who cast ballots May 13. The two candidates collectively captured about 80 percent of the vote during the April 1 election, with Hammons having a four-point edge over McBride.

Both candidates, Stroud said, presented some valid reasons to vote for them. But Stroud was impressed with Hammons’ “freshness and honesty.”

“I really liked it when he said he didn’t have the answer,” Stroud said of the 19-year-old Oklahoma University freshman. “The young man seemed intelligent enough to be teachable — if they (city administrators) work with him I think he (Hammons) could do a really good job.”

Stroud said McBride, 70, has done some good things in the past, but voting for him would be “like hitting the replay button.”

But McBride’s apparent dedication and knowledge of the city and the way it works impressed other voters who attended the Phoenix-sponsored event.

Janey Cagle Boydston said McBride “knows what it takes to attract new industry and other businesses.” The former city councilor said McBride is a known quantity and had done a good job in the past while serving on the City Council.

“I got the impression Mr. Hammons thinks you just have to show up and preside over the meetings,” Boydston said. “If you do it (serve as mayor) right, it’s a full-time job.”

Boydston said she is impressed with McBride’s willingness to “go above and beyond the call of duty to improve Muskogee.” She said Hammons ought to consider serving as a councilman or a member of one of the city’s various committees before jumping into the mayoral seat.

“There are a lot of people who keep talking about change, but not all change is for the best,” Boydston said. “I’m doing everything I can to help Hershel get elected.”

Karen Jones, who recently returned to her hometown after moving away from Muskogee several years ago, said McBride spoke to some of the issues important to her — infrastructure, streets and trash. But Jones said she has concerns about McBride’s insistence for “quality, controlled growth.”

“I’ve been gone so long that I’m thinking there could have been so much more growth than we’ve had,” Jones said. “I can’t help but think he’s had his chance, so why not try something new.”