Five candidates running for mayor in the upcoming election participate in a forum and debate held by the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce on Friday night at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Nearly a full house of residents gathered at the Esplanade Art & Heritage Centre on Friday to hear from the remaining 12 city council candidates and five of six mayoral candidates during a back-to-back style forum held by the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
Due to the record number of candidates (39) to throw their hat to run in October’s election, the chamber decided to host four separate forums to allow candidates to share their platforms, three forums for council candidates and one for individuals running for mayor.
On Friday evening, five candidates running for the top job in the city – Drew Barnes, Linnsie Clark, Andy McGrogan, Alan Rose and Kris Samraj – took to the stage to share ideas with voters.
Mayoral candidates were provided up to three minutes for an opening statement to inform voters on their platform and how they plan to guide the city over the next four years.
Following the introduction period, candidates were provided one minute for replies to a variety of questions asked by forum moderator Aaron Fleming. To conclude the forum, which was held from 7:30-9 p.m., candidates were provided two minutes to deliver a closing statement.
Candidates first shared their views on the current state of local governance and spoke about the significant dysfunction discovered within council in a Municipal Inspection Report issued to council in July.
Local economic development was debated among candidates as each briefly discussed how they’d improve business competitiveness and use effective strategies focused on growth in the city.
Affordable housing and rising costs of living, crime and homelessness, as well as the controversial Transportation Master Plan and proposed Municipally Controlled Corporation were all touched on.
Residents also heard from council candidates Stephen Campbell, Robert Dumanowski (incumbent) Don Fedoruk, Brock Hale, Pamela Kunz, Immanuel Moritz, Kaleb Orge, Dan Reynish, Kirby Schafer, Kirsten Spek, David Toth and Brain Varga.
Council candidates were provided one minute each to provide the audience with an opening statement and explain their motivation for running in the upcoming election, as well as an opportunity to introduce themselves. Some topics were also opened for a brief four-minute debate at the moderator’s discretion.
Following introductions, candidates were given one minute to respond during a question and answer period hosted by the forum
The first topic candidates spoke on was their positions on energy, specially sharing their sides on adopting a MCC, the proposed Saamis Solar Park and solar power generation.
Next on tap, candidates spoke about how they would make Medicine Hat a more attractive place to start a small business and how to retain and stimulate local businesses. Several candidates brought up their thoughts on reducing off-site levy costs and “red-tape” reduction and city spending, including the budget and large upcoming capital expenses.
Council candidates also had the opportunity to speak about crime with a focus specially on the downtown core and navigating homelessness issues in Medicine Hat. Local taxes were also under the microscope during the forum.
Residents attending Friday evening spoke on the importance of gaining insight on who the candidates are and where they sit on certain issues important to the community.
“I don’t know if I have a clear vision, but it’s a clearer vision,” said Darren Lukasiewich, who attended the forums to narrow down who he plans to vote for from a long list of 39 council and six mayoral candidates. “Certainly to get to know their perspective on the different topics, its definitely helpful.”
“I like to see one on one and how they react and what they have to say or don’t have to say (about a topic), so I think it’s very important for me to come out and make sure that I’m actually gathering information that I want,” said Kathy Bayer.
“I’m here tonight to watch the mayoral forum and find out and determine whether they can lead, whether they can be a leader or not,” echoed another resident in attendance.
The chamber is also allowing all candidates whose responses were longer than the allotted time limit to publish on its website as well as answer questions other candidates were asked during their forum.
The chamber will also post all forums on its website and YouTube pages for citizens unable to attend in person. Friday’s forum will be streamed by the chamber, a link can be found by visiting its website.
