Wright City Mayor Roy White says he is running for re-election because he isn't finished ridding the town of "special interests" and "favoritism." His two challengers say it's time to open the line of communication and quit the in-fighting that has plagued the city over the past two years. In one of the more hotly contested races in next Tuesday's municipal election, Bill Schaffer and David Heiliger are running against White. The winner will serve a two-year term. White was elected in 2008 when he defeated then-Mayor Eileen Klocke. His term has been marked by criticism and a rocky relationship with the board of aldermen and city employees, including a defamation lawsuit filed against former Alderman Dave Walter accusing employees of receiving extra vacation and overtime pay. "We have to start treating everybody the same," said White, who is retired. "Some people's requests are ignored. (The aldermen) don't enforce codes or ordinances equally. It depends on who you are." Schaffer has been away from city politics since losing a re-election bid for an alderman seat in 2007. Prior to that, he served on the board for four consecutive years, including some time spent as president. Schaffer is employed as the band director at Wright City High School. "The complete lack of communication is the problem," he said. "There is no communication between the board and mayor. You need someone to communicate clearly and make a point." Heiliger is running for a public office for the first time, but is following in the footsteps of his late father, Wil Heiliger, who spent more than 20 years serving as an alderman. Heiliger said he remembers when city meetings were a positive experience and were packed for all the right reasons rather than to witness the various disputes. "I'm trying to make it respectful again," said Heiliger, who works for Harris Auto Tire. "Everybody can still have their own opinion. "Right now, it's more of what can I stop you from doing rather than what's good for the city." Heiliger added that Wright City's reputation has taken a hit under White's leadership. Too many times prospective business owners have attended city meetings waiting to get approval of a license only to watch the drama of another argument between White and the aldermen, he said. Schaffer agrees that more cooperation is needed. "The fighting needs to stop," he remarked. "That can't be done by someone controlling the meeting." White feels the criticism has been unfair. When he was criticized for not attending a funeral procession and representing the city following the death of a local soldier in Iraq, he said he was out of town attending a family member's funeral. He noted that future priorities would be adding a playground on the north side of the city and improving sidewalks. He also wants to remain a watchdog on expenditures by city staff. "My main priority is to bring businesses to Wright City," White said. "We have to accommodate businesses and become business friendly. I'm tired of seeing businesses come in and be turned away." Heiliger also is open to attracting new businesses and supporting those already in the city. "I believe you have to be open to ideas and not have so much tunnel vision," Heiliger said. Schaffer said he would rely on his previous experience to help shape the city as it prepares for more growth through a difficult economic stretch. "We need to get businesses going again," he said. "We need to get more activities going on. There will be difficult decisions to be made. It will be tight. There has to be cuts. Belt tightening has to happen."