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GREENSBORO — A one-term City Council member will face two challengers for the District 3 seat.

Two of the three candidates for the city’s northwest district will make it through the primary Tuesday. The election will be Nov. 3.

George Hartzman

Age: 42

Residence: 2506 Baytree Drive

Occupation: Vice president of investments, financial adviser, Wells Fargo Financial Advisers; president and owner, Think Professional Education

George Hartzman turned his financial adviser’s eye onto the city’s debts — and didn’t like what he saw.

Hartzman, who also teaches financial ethics and CPA continuing education, has challenged the City Council’s decision to put $205 million worth of bonds on the ballot last year. Hartzman spoke out against the council’s decision to start many of those projects this year.

“If you increase debt, you increase taxes,” he said. “You’re taxing income of my children.”

Hartzman said the city should keep down spending and debt while the recession continues. “We should have a positive cash flow before we take on anything,” Hartzman said.

Hartzman is against the city helping complete the final stages of the Urban Loop. He said it should be redesigned, rerouted or canceled.

Hartzman would like to see a law that prevents City Council candidates from accepting contributions from contractors, developers or their agents who do business with Greensboro for up to a year before or after the election.

Zack Matheny

Age: 36

Residence: 205 W. Newlyn Ave.

Occupation: Bell Partners, investor relations

Incumbent Zack Matheny said he has come into his own as a leader since he took office two years ago. Matheny was a deciding vote in a split decision to fire former City Manager Mitchell Johnson, whom Matheny had supported.

In the last term, Matheny asked for a $249,000 study of the police department. He also advocated for changes to the center city, including a recently passed panhandling ordinance that bans begging everywhere downtown.

He said he wanted to research alternatives for the city’s trash disposal. “It’s a delicate issue. ... I am not a trash expert. I just want to learn and listen,” Matheny said.

If elected to another term, Matheny said a priority would be jobs. He said he would support the city’s economic development marketers, whose job it is to attract new business.

Matheny said he would also continue to be accessible to constituents. “Accessibility has been a strength for me.”

Jay Ovittore

Age: 36

Residence: 2411 Dellwood Drive

Occupation: Owner of Jay Ovittore’s Painting and Contracting

Jay Ovittore is no stranger to politics. He ran for Congress last year and has hounded the legislature on issues like Time Warner’s planned shift in customer fee structures.

Now, he’s going local.

“On some issues we’re underrepresented,” especially on issues of human relations, Ovittore said of District 3.

Ovittore is a member of the city’s human relations board and its housing subcommittee. He said he has experience working with city staff.

He wants to add more police officers and would like to add roving patrols in neighborhoods. “I want to make home a safe place to be,” Ovittore said.

Ovittore would not favor raising property taxes but would support a local sales tax.

If elected, he plans to hold office hours three days a week.

“If you are a constituent in my district, you should be able to get an appointment and come see me,” he said.

Ovittore said he would push equal representation among residents and business representatives on city boards.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com