PORTAGE | Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder on Wednesday criticized his opponent, Mayor Olga Velazquez, over construction of the University Center and a city-paid flier touting the facility.

"Our mayor, desperate to make election-year news once again, rushed into an ill-advised project in many capacities," Snyder said Wednesday morning during a news conference.

Velazquez said, "Business at City Hall does not stop because of an election. The University Center is a Redevelopment Commission project. It is a five-member body that made the decision to move forward. It wasn't my decision alone, as he implies."

Snyder, in front of about 40 supporters, said, "In no way, shape or form are we against a university in Portage."

Snyder criticized Velazquez for moving ahead with the building, not having secured leases with WorkOne or the four universities that will occupy classrooms in the building and sending out a flier this week at city expense touting the building.

"Portage residents have been duped by a mayor who cares more about her re-election than she does the education and financial stability of the residents," Snyder said, adding instead of using local dollars for the building he would have worked more diligently with the state to secure funding.

Velazquez said, "It is unfortunate he has chosen a positive project which not only provides economic benefits for our residents now by providing union jobs that are putting people to work but that will help provide an educated workforce for the future."

"What we are doing here is legitimate; it is a process. The universities are committed," she said, explaining a committee of university and city representatives is working on leases that benefit the universities and the city.

"These are not traditional leases. It is almost a time-share concept," she said, adding universities are working together on decisions involving curriculum and use of the building.

As for the mailer, which was paid for by proceeds from the bond issue used for the building's construction, Velazquez said that also was a committee decision to reach out to residents who may be making decisions now about enrolling in college next year.