For the last several months I've been meeting with the people who want to replace Alan Autry as mayor of Fresno. Term limits prevent Autry from running again. There's been no shortage of candidates to replace him.

It's a diverse group - with a mix of experienced politicians and motivated newcomers. Each candidate has their own ideas on which direction Fresno should be headed, and unique plans on how to get there.

In the coming weeks the Fresno Bee will begin extensive coverage of the mayoral campaign with a series of stories on issues ranging from downtown revitalization to parks and city finances.

The stories will run in the paper, and an expanded version will go to a new election page on our Web site, where you can read the candidates' thoughts in their own words. The website will launch in early April, and will feature extended biographies on each candidate, and a place for you to tell the candidates what's important to you. They'll be able to read your questions, and respond directly to you.

Here's a sneak peek at their thoughts about the need for an independent police auditor.

This is an issue that's been a non-starter for years. People keep coming up with ideas, and the City Council keeps shooting them down.

The answers below are copied right out of responses to a questionnaire I sent each candidate. These responses have been edited for length and to clarify acronyms, but their answers have not been edited in any other way. Eventually, the entire responses will be available on our election Web site.

After you read their remarks, tell us your thoughts. Does Fresno need a watchdog for the police department?

Question: Do you support or oppose an independent police auditor? Why?

Ashley Swearengin, head of the Regional Jobs Initiative: "I support the implementation of a plan to safeguard the community’s trust in law enforcement.... The proposed independent police auditor is one model that we will examine, but I would like to explore other models to accomplish the same objective. Ultimately, we must come up with a solution that succeeds in safeguarding the community’s trust in law enforcement and that will be supported by the City Council."

Henry Monreal, Fresno police detective: "I am against. We have the D.A. (District Attorney), city council and internal affairs already in place. However, we need to make the police department much more transparent."

Council Member Henry T. Perea: "I am opposed to an IPA (Independent Police Auditor). I believe that there are enough checks and balances in our system to protect the interests of the public."

Fresno Deputy Mayor Jeff Eben: "I believe a Police Auditor is important in protecting the city against future litigation. It is clear, though, that our City Council and Officer’s Union do not support the IPA. I, therefore, would call for a one year hiatus from making this a budget issue. I would work with council, the District and City Attorney and FPOA (Fresno Police Officers Association) representatives to study the issue and find out why this is such discrepancy in opinion."

Ignacio Garibay, Realtor: "Fresno Police Department needs an independent Auditor"

Council Member Jerry Duncan: "I oppose an independent police auditor.
In the last four years this position has been proposed by the current Mayor, the City Council has been offered three different versions; one year it was based on the San Jose model, one year it was based on the Sacramento model and one year it was a hybrid of both. .... Even the few members of the pubic who support this cannot agree on what the position is or what it should be doing."

Council Member Mike Dages:"Oppose. I believe our police department has done a good job of dealing with issues internally and disciplinary policies have been appropriate. We don’t need to add more bureaucracy."

Jim Boswell, businessman: "I oppose an independent police auditor because I believe that this shows distrust in our police department. I also believe that our police department in cooperation with the Mayor should be able to audit the department fairly and adequately."

Former Council Member Tom Boyajian: "I believe a police auditor is a great opportunity for everyone.... I feel a police auditor- structured separate from the Mayor and City Manager- will provide a level of protection between rank and file officers and the administration they work for. Additionally, the nature of the auditor being in place will offer assurance to the public that our local law enforcement is respectful of the public's interests."

Former Fresno County Supervisor Doug Vagim: "I can’t support an independent police auditor. That position is just another way for the elected officials of the city to dodge responsibility. The mayor is responsible for the performance of the police chief through the city manger and together they are responsible for the P.D. (police department). As a publicly elected official the Mayor can not and should not remove himself from the responsibly of public oversight."

-- Denny Boyles