HUDSON: Municipal issues have taken a back seat to personal ones in the race for mayor in Hudson.The march toward the Nov. 8 ballot took a detour two weeks ago when WKYC (Channel 3) questioned the military record of candidate David Hack, saying he inaccurately called himself and wore the insignia of a U.S. Army Ranger.Hack, who owns the military clothing store U.S. Wings, acknowledged he did not complete Ranger school, but reacted to the query by suing reporter Eric Mansfield as well as current Mayor William Currin for allegedly “spreading rumors.”The controversy was front and center again Wednesday morning at the last of three candidate forums featuring Hack and Currin, with much of the audience’s interest focused on Hack’s resume.At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Hudson, Hack was asked about references he made in his autobiography to having a Ph.D. Hack answered that “Ph.D.” is simply “terminology” and that his degree came from “life experiences, not a civilian education.”Attorney Dean Hoover, who is representing Hack in the defamation complaint, also complained to the Ohio Elections Commission that Currin lied in the first forum, hosted by the Hudson Economic Development Corp., when he said he obtained a commitment from U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette for federal funding for a project. A probable cause hearing is pending.One Rotary member asked Hack why he would introduce litigation into the mayor’s race.Hack said he couldn’t speak directly to the charges because of the pending court case, but “when this comes out in court, it will go all the way up the ladder.”Currin has called both complaints “frivolous.”Of course, there have been opportunities this month for voters to learn where candidates stand on more traditional issues — from economic development to Hudson’s role in regionalism.Here are highlights from October forums hosted by the Rotary Club and the local League of Women Voters:On regionalismCurrin has been active in the Regional Prosperity Initiative, a Northeast Ohio effort by mayors to find ways of sharing services and reducing costs.Hudson is also part of a unique Joint Economic Development Zone being formed. It would be the only one in Ohio involving four communities sharing a business zone and the revenue it generates.Collaboration “is the only way we can keep costs down,” Currin said. He noted that the region has had a 1 percent population increase from 1992-2002, but a 70 percent jump in the cost of local government.Hack said he opposes regionalism and any collaboration that could result in sharing tax revenue.“I believe in working with others … but I won’t share our hard-earned tax money,” he said.“The mayor of Hudson should stay in Hudson,” Hack added. “He should not go around the state championing regionalism.”On economic development Hack said his key economic plan is to establish a website that helps Hudson businesses “sell all over the world.” Such a site would list business hours and menus and do much to promote retailers and restaurants outside the city.“The Internet is our future,” said Hack, who noted that Internet marketing is his “forte” due to his own experience as an online retailer.Currin said the city’s “Destination Hudson” already links local businesses.As for his economic development record, Currin touted the recent groundbreaking of the Seasons Greene Eco-Industrial Park off Seasons Road, an environmentally friendly site that will house only green businesses.On office qualificationsThe mayor serves four years, participates in council but has no vote, and is paid $275 a month.In his campaign, the retired Currin has stressed his many civic and elected roles in Hudson since he moved here 41 years ago, from early activities with the Hudson Jaycees to his election to the school board, city council and mayor’s office.Hack said he has not promoted any civic ties “because I didn’t want to brag.” Instead, he has served local residents “behind closed doors,” and if local churches were asked about Hack, they would find he has often given to families in need.His campaign literature says he is “not a politician” and that he is not taking any donations for his campaign. “I won’t accept a cup of coffee,” he told voters at one forum.Hudson elections are nonpartisan.Hack denied a suggestion by one questioner that he is a Republican, saying he is an independent.In the ’70s, he ran for Summit County sheriff as a Democrat, he said, and he also once ran for mayor of Stow.Currin said as mayor, he has sought to keep party politics out of all discussions at City Hall, saying, “There’s so much more we can accomplish when we’re working together versus having things like our political attitudes divide us.”On State Issue 2The hottest issue on the ballot next month is one that would curtail or eliminate many collective-bargaining rights for police, fire, school and government workers. Hack said as a resident, he is in favor of Issue 2. He did not further explain his position, but added that it is not the place of a mayor to speak out on any state issue.Currin disagreed, saying, “I involve myself in all matters that come before council and it is exceedingly important for a mayor to provide responses to direct questions.”Currin said the collective bargaining bill goes too far and he opposes it.“I do believe whether [Issue 2] is successful or not, we should take a look at some common sense bargaining rules for public sector employees, but an overreach hurts everyone,” he said.Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.