The lively, substantive and at times rough debate Thursday between Democratic mayoral candidates Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio and City Councilor Michael Passero is something New London just didn’t see before a charter change brought back mayoral leadership, absent for nearly a century.

Under the former city manager system, elections saw the occasional candidate forum at which 14 or more candidates talked vaguely about the issues. Everyone had at best two or three questions and the forums offered little true debate.

Focusing leadership, making one person primarily responsible for setting an agenda and leading the city, answerable to the voters, is the main reason this newspaper on its editorial pages pushed for a charter change from the council-city manager system.

About 300 people attended the debate at New London High School, held in advance of the Sept. 16 primary. With the event streaming live, visits to theday.com were several times higher than an average night. The debate remains available for viewing on the website.

Clear differences emerged as Mayor Finizio made his case for re-election and Mr. Passero the case for a change at the top.

Mr. Passero would work with the Renaissance City Development Association (formerly the New London Development Corp.) in pursuing development in the Fort Trumbull area and the city generally. He blamed Mayor Finizio’s failure to work with the development agency as contributing to the lack of economic progress.

In contrast, Mayor Finizio made it clear if had the council votes (he doesn’t now) he would dissolve RCDA’s authority and place development responsibility in the hands of the mayor and council. He argued the current arrangement cedes too much authority to the development agency, which includes members from outside the city, and contributed to past abuses such as eminent domain.

On policing and public safety, Mr. Passero put the emphasis on beefing up staffing and increasing the police’s presence in the community. The mayor stressed assuring officers treat all citizens equally and avoid aggressive tactics, pointing to his work ending the use of biting dogs to enforce order as an example.

Observers saw a contrast in leadership styles. Mayor Finizio — for good and ill — has governed as a strong executive, directing leadership from City Hall. Mr. Passero indicated he would lean to a more cooperative approach that seeks consensus.

After the primary, the discussion will continue into the general election — Bill Vogel is the Republican candidate — as New London again decides who will direct its future.