MANCHESTER — Two of the Republican candidates for the open Executive Council District 4 seat did little to differentiate themselves during a candidates forum hosted by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

State Sen. Tom DeBlois and businessman Chuck Rolecek spent most of the 90-minute forum agreeing on how they would approach the job, though each had a few moments where it seemed as though they weren’t sure what the job entailed and incorrectly stated a vote taken by the retiring Ray Wieczorek.

Hillsborough County Treasurer Robert Burns did not attend the event, though organizers said at the beginning of the forum that he’d accepted the invitation.

The candidates each said they believe that the state has too much bureaucracy and that they would bring conservative approaches honed from years spent in private business enterprise.

They disagreed on the subject of expanded gambling, though, with Rolecek saying he would be willing to consider looking at the idea and DeBlois rejecting it, saying the state doesn’t need it.

“This is probably the only area where Mr.r Rolecek and I disagree on,” DeBlois said, eliciting a chuckle from the small audience. “But I’m working on changing his mind.”

The forum was replayed by Manchester Public Television on its website.

During a discussion about a study on expanded rail service, DeBlois and Rolecek each said they agreed that Wieczorek made the right decision in not approving to spend state-matching dollars of, in Rolecek’s words, “about $900,000” to accept a $3 million federal grant to study expanding rail service.”

Wieczorek voted in favor of the study and the state contribution would have been about $400,000. The council, though, rejected the measure in a 3-2 vote.

Later in the forum, Rolecek twice said he “didn’t understand” such things as how contracts are approved by the Executive Council, though he said he would bring a business-like approach to the table when considering approving contracts and appointments.

At another point, DeBlois said the council “is responsible for approving all expenditures and income for the state of New Hampshire” and is responsible for making appointments for commissioners and judges.

Rolecek corrected him, saying the council confirms, but doesn’t make, appointments for such positions and that the council only approves receipts and expenditures of state and federal funds, budgetary transfers and contracts worth $10,000 or more and personal service contracts of $2,500 or more.

He said he would like to see those thresholds raised.

“I think it’s ridiculously low,” he said. “That’s part of the inefficiency that’s bogging down government. We have to become more efficient while still maintaining control.”

The primary election is Tuesday. The Republican winner will take on Democrat Chris Pappas, who is running unopposed, in the general election.

- - - - - - - -

Tim Buckland may be reached at tbuckland@unionleader.com.