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Yvonne Johnson and Bill Knight made opening and closing statements and answered 22 questions, all in an hour's time Tuesday afternoon.

The League of Women Voters and its moderator, Rebecca Klase, know how to run a candidates' forum.

Equal credit goes to Mayor Johnson and her challenger, a retired accountant who made a credible, though unsuccessful, run for an at-large City Council seat two years ago.

Knight probably faces an uphill battle this time, too, against a long-time elected official. But making the effort is a service to voters and the city because it creates opportunities for public discussion of important issues.

If Tuesday's event is an indication, the campaign for mayor will be conducted on a high plane. Both candidates spoke knowledgeably, got right to the point and acted cordially.

The only friction was sparked by a question about campaign financing. Knight said Johnson spent $100,000 in her run for major in 2007. "I did not spend $100,000," she retorted. She's correct. Her campaign finance report filed with the Board of Elections showed she spent $97,201. Knight spent slightly more than $18,000 in his campaign.

Both candidates said they support "voter-owned elections," or public financing -- but neither would require taxpayers to fund it.

Johnson drew the forum's biggest laugh when she was asked how to improve personal relations among City Council members. "Invoke God in His infinite glory," she said.

Knight raised eyebrows when speaking about the police department. Saying top commanders should be selected "based on ability and qualifications," he charged that the former chief, who is white, was forced out of his job "because of race" and the current chief, who is black, was hired "in my opinion because of race." Johnson did not respond to those comments Tuesday but should at some point in the campaign.

On some other topics:

* "I will be able to be a full-time mayor, given one half-day for golf," Knight said. "I work 45 hours a week for the city of Greensboro, and that includes Saturdays and Sundays," Johnson said.

* Johnson revealed that the city is working with Guilford County on a proposed tax credit for businesses that expand and hire workers. But Knight said the city isn't business-friendly enough.

* Both strongly endorsed financial disclosure for council candidates.

* They disagreed about intercity light rail within the Triad. Johnson said Greensboro should work with neighbors on developing the new transportation system. "We could not begin to pay for it," Knight said, endorsing bus service instead.

Voters should look for more opportunities to hear the candidates for themselves. The conversation is good for Greensboro.