Five Austin mayoral candidates told an audience at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema how they would address child care, affordability and other Austin-based concerns.

United Way for Greater Austin hosted a mayor forum Sept. 3 that focused on many of the problem areas the nonprofit seeks to address, including issues that affect the lower-middle class, working poor and children who grow up in disadvantaged homes. Business owner Todd Phelps, Councilman Mike Martinez, airline industry specialist Randall Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and attorney Steve Adler completed the forum's five-candidate panel.

Councilman Mike Martinez and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole touted work they have done while in public office to help those with lower incomes. Attorney Steve Adler, on the other hand, criticized the way the current City Council has run Austin the past few years.

"We need to save Austin's soul," Adler said. "We need to be proactive and not reactive."

Cole then disputed Adler's claim that the future mayor should use his position to become a "bully pulpit" on some issues.

"We don't need someone who says 'bully pulpit.' We don't need bullies," Cole said.

Each candidate voiced support for providing child care to those in Austin's workforce needing relief. Martinez suggested opening more day cares closer to work centers, citing one example at the Capital Metro headquarters as an effective option for both CapMetro employees and the public.

Adler agreed, calling child care just as important to Austin's infrastructure as roads.

While no question posed specifically addressed November's transportation bond package, the topic was addressed by almost every candidate.

Phelps took a solid stance against the $600 million rail bond, proposing the money instead be used for child care or to reduce the residential property tax burden.

Randall Stephens said the trains in the proposed urban rail plan would stop traffic every 5 minutes.