The electoral forums this past week provided a glimpse into the priorities of area residents. At both the Ward 5 forum in Riverhurst and the Ward 6 forum in Cherry Grove, residents identified roads as an area of concern. Some candidates want them fixed faster or patrolled more frequently for speeding. The dangerous Highway 892 Ardmore intersections also received attention at the Ward 5 forum.
Regardless of who gets in to MD council, they along with the three acclaimed councillors and reeve will have their work cut out for them – and roads and safety will be a big part of it.
The lack of an election in the Town of Bonnyville meant that no forum happened here, which is unfortunate as there are many big issues facing the Town that could have benefited from some discussion. It's never a bad idea to put our politicians on the hot seat for a while to learn about what they're doing and give them the opportunity to listen. Town council will bring on one new member to the team to fill a vacancy, John Irwin.
With a lack of letters to the editor opposing either MD or Town decisions the past few months, and an absence of Town candidates, both municipalities seem to enjoy the confidence of the electorate. With a new three-year term, both groups will have a fresh start to tough choices. Hopefully, citizens will continue to press important issues forward like they did at the candidates' forums to make sure residents' concerns are heard after the election results are in. Due to our Monday press deadline, we are unable to print the results in this week's paper. Go to www.bonnyvillenouvelle.ca for the latest breaking news.
