Attention voters. What questions would you most like to ask candidates in the Oct. 21 municipal election?
The cost of the swimming pool project? The state of Barrhead’s roads? Flooding concerns? Water rates? Declining enrolment in schools? Cyber bullying? Class sizes?
Well, here’s your chance to raise your hot button issue. An All-Candidates Forum – involving those running for Town, County and Pembina Hills school board – will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Multi-Purpose Room, starting at 7 p.m.
Local pharmacist Rita Lyster will be moderator.
The event, which is being sponsored by Barrhead Public Library, Chamber of Commerce and the Leader, will be split into two sessions.
The first one will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and see questions put to school board candidates. After an intermission, there will be questions for Town and County candidates.
Organizer Elaine Dickie, also library director, said candidates would see in advance the questions prepared by forum sponsors.
There will also be a chance for audience members to ask questions. These would be submitted in writing.
“We want as many people as possible to come to the forum,” said Dickie. “This is a great opportunity for potential voters to raise the issues that are most relevant to their lives.
“It is all about democracy and giving people a chance to have their say and help them make the most informed decisions on Election Day.”
Dickie said she would like to see even acclaimed candidates to show up and answer questions.
“Accountability is very important,” she said.
The Multi-Purpose Room holds room for 160 seats. There is space for another 40 seated around the perimeter of the room. It is proposed that candidates will be at tables at the front.
“Wouldn’t it be great to have standing room only?” said Dickie.
There will be coffee and candidates’ handouts on tables in the hallway outside the room.
The slate of local candidates are:
Town: Mark Vriend (Mayoral candidate), Gerry St. Pierre (Mayoral candidate), Don Smith, Ty Assaf, Leslie Penny, Mickey Fitzgerald, Ryan Warehime, Roy Ulmer and Shelley Oswald. Total: 9
County: Bill Lee (acclaimed), Bill Lane (acclaimed), Darrell Troock (acclaimed), Dennis Nanninga (acclaimed), Doug Drozd, Jane Goski, Glenda Mosher, Marvin Schatz, Ronald Kleinfeldt and Vince Weise. Total: 10
PHRD (Barrhead/Swan Hills only): (Subdivision 1, North, County) Charlene Cole, Robin Kapler, Peter Kuelken, Dale Schaffrick, Jennifer Tuininga; (Subdivision 2, South, County) Joyce Fott, Kim Webster; (Subdivision 3, Town) Maureen Fiebich, Judy Lefebvre, Jerry Pon; and Sheri Watson (Swan Hills), (acclaimed). Total: 11
