On May 20, we'll have a much clearer picture of just what direction Bowling Green might take in the next four years.

Jerry Wells, incumbent Mayor Elaine Walker and City Commissioner Brian Strow are each certain they have what it takes to lead the city of Bowling Green.

What issue do they feel will decide not only next week's primary as well as November's general election?

"The TIF now and particularly at the fall campaign are going to be a huge issue," says Wells.

"The biggest issue for me is infrastructure," notes Strow.

"We have economic development that’s allowing us to continue to grow," says Walker.

The candidates say they will also keep a sharp eye on fixing the ever-growing traffic problem, if they're elected.

"Part of the solution has to be the city prioritizing and putting finances in line with these priorities. We need to be in the business of road construction," explains Strow.

"Build as much as we can, recognizing that we need to build for future growth, but at the same time we need to encourage people to either take a buddy to work," Wells says.

"Take a look at how we can re-think traffic, how we can use the resources we're already got more wisely," adds Walker.

Each candidate outlines a vision of what they would like to implement in Bowling Green over the next four years.

"When you look at the fact that when I took office, home ownership was in the 47-percent range. That’s simply unacceptable. So we have really targeted home ownership," states Walker.

"You always want to be able to assure as a Mayor that you must always be able to provide good fire and police protection in terms of public safety," stresses Wells.

"I want to see the sidewalk program that I helped to start continue to get funding over the next few years," notes Strow.

Ultimately, they say the choice is up to the voters.

"Hopefully, they will say we're doing a great job in Bowling Green and we want four more years," says the incumbent Walker.

"Clearly, the primary message for the top two vote-getters is that these are the options the citizens want," says Strow.

"I think they're going to be telling both sets of people running for office that we want a conservative government that moves forward but doesn't take chances they don't feel the citizens themselves don't feel should be taken," Wells says.

While Strow, Wells, and Walker don't agree on all the topics, they do agree that an "open and communicative" form of government needs to be paramount here in Bowling Green.