As Chico Marx might have said, "Gahan -- he no show up."

The Chico Marx reference comes from Duck Soup, the classic comedy film by the Marx Brothers. It's an excellent representation of the two-party system. At least that's my interpretation.

Meanwhile, the Louisville newspaper sent someone to cover Tuesday's debate.

New Albany candidates hit issues, criticize Gahan, by Lexy Gross (C-J)

Independent candidate Roger Baylor and Republican Kevin Zurschmiede answered questions from a four-person panel at New Albany High School. Incumbent Mayor Jeff Gahan was invited to the debate hosted by Leadership Southern Indiana, but his campaign chose not to participate.

Gahan's campaign committed to two debates during election season, but all three mayoral candidates won't debate on the same stage before Nov. 3.

I hope to return to this passage when there is time.

In one of the final questions of the night, the candidates explained their vision for New Albany.

"As mayor, I want to create a city where people want to live," Zurschmiede said.

Echoing previous notes about attracting millennials to New Albany, Baylor said he considers himself a "bridge to the next generation."

Kevin's actual sentiments might be better summarized as a desire to make New Albany a great city again, this being a common expression of political intent not only here, but among presidential hopefuls like Donald Trump.

I submit to you that this is a far more complex topic than it might seem. How far back do we go in finding periods of comparative greatness?

New Albany's last assumed period of epochal prosperity probably predated the civil rights movement and (attempted) desegregation.

And I don't want to go back to that. Do you?