With municipal elections heating up and residents looking to learn more about their potential representatives, the Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce and the Bonnyville Nouvelle have partnered to present an All Candidates Forum set to take place on Oct. 9 at Dr. Brosseau School in Bonnyville.
The event will see the Town of Bonnyville mayoral and council candidates along with the MD of Bonnyville reeve candidates present their platforms and respond to questions from residents of the area.
It is the first time in seven years that the town will be having a mayoral race with incumbent Ernie Isley challenged by current councillor Gene Sobolewski and local businessman Brent Boulrice.
As for town council, there are eight people running for six spots, with three new faces entering into the mix.
Incumbent MD Reeve Ed Rondeau will also be challenged by Erwin Thompson for the top seat on MD council.
“We will be starting promptly at 7 p.m. and everything will be kept on a tight schedule,” said Tanya Oliver, executive director of the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce.
“We are providing a neutral platform for the candidates to be able to let the people know what they are about, what they stand for and what it would mean if we voted them in,” said Oliver.
All candidates will get at chance for opening remarks and then answer pre-written questions they were provided in advance. Once the prepared questions are answered the audience will get a chance to ask any questions they please. Each segment of the forum will be run on strict time limits.
“I hope we get a large crowd. It is extremely important that we get a large crowd,” said Oliver. “Voting is a right we have that people take for granted quite often. Thousands of people die for it all over the world, so hopefully we get a good turnout and hopefully people vote.”
Bonnyville Nouvelle publisher Clare Gauvreau said, “I have a great deal of respect for those that step up to be leaders in our communities. I hope voters will take the opportunity to participate in this forum, hear what the candidates have to say and ask about the issues that are important to them.
“If growth projections for this part of the province ring true over the next several years, our municipal councils will face significant challenges in regards to pressure on infrastructure and meeting the needs of a growing population,” Gauvreau added. “As taxpayers, we all have a vested interest in hearing from the candidates as to what they can bring to the council table in terms of preparing for the immediate future and planning for the longterm.”
