CROWN POINT | Four Republicans are vying for two at-large Crown Point City Council seats in the May 8 primary, with development being a key topic of debate.

No Democrats filed for the positions.

City Councilman Mike Conquest is running for his fourth term. The 56-year-old said the city needs to keep its eyes on growth and economic development.

"We have great residential growth, but sometimes our commercial growth is lagging," he said.

Conquest said Crown Point needs to watch the number of firefighters and police officers, personnel in other departments and infrastructure as the city grows.

"We need to be planning ahead and talk to the state about Broadway widening and 109th," he said. "Not when the interchange is there, but now."

Incumbent councilwoman Carol Drasga said the downtown is the city's crown jewel and needs to be nurtured. She said she applied for a $575,000 grant to make the square more pedestrian friendly.

"We need to make sure it continues to thrive," she said. "We need to take serious measures to maintain downtown, because that's who we are."

Drasga, 53, is running for her second term on council. She said the council needs someone like her to represent homeowners.

Resident John Hicks is running for his first term on the council. The 74-year-old was active in Hammond and Lake County politics and moved to Crown Point two years ago.

"The citizens of Crown Point should actually make their choice in what direction they want to go," he said. "What I think we need are ideas on where the city's going, what Crown Point should look like five to 10 years from now and what is the future of the city."

Hicks, who owns Hicks Tax Service in Crown Point, said he is concerned about property taxes in the area. He said Crown Point has "growing pains" and needs to work more closely with the School Board to coordinate growth.

Volunteer firefighter Lt. Mark Schweitzer is running for his first term on the council.

The 42-year-old said this is a pivotal time for Crown Point.

"We have the unique opportunity with the pristine interchange at I-65 and U.S. 231 to somewhat mold that into what brings not only a larger tax base but the right jobs," he said.

Schweitzer is vice president of sales and marketing for Superior Petroleum, president of Morocco Properties, Summit & Broadway Properties and the vice president for Superior Fuels and Superior Equipment. He is also president of Crown Point Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.