Quesnel residents got their first look at the full slate of candidates for the upcoming municipal election.
In a closely structured format, each mayoral candidate and council hopefuls delivered an opening salvo regarding their platform.
The event was sponsored by Quesnel Chamber of Commerce and moderated and timed by members of Toastmasters.
In alphabetical order, Ron Craigmyle spoke first stating what he considered to be the top outstanding issues facing the new city council.
They include West Quesnel land stability, the multi-centre and a bypass to redirect heavy vehicle traffic away from the downtown area.
He also said, if elected, he would focus on ridding the community of its current drug problem.
As a police officer in Scotland, Craigmyle said he saw first hand the damage drugs have done to youth.
Mayoral candidate Ron Paull took to the podium next and began with a statement of his addiction to volunteering in the community for the past 40 years.
Having sat as a council for several years, Paull said he felt trying to secure the mayor’s job was his only option.
“City Hall is in shambles,” he said.
Paull said his leadership would focus on people not politics.
When current mayor Mary Sjostrom stepped up to the mic she spoke to her record over the past 12 years and said council under her leadership would support industry, lobby the government for issues important to Quesnel and continue to look for alternate revenue streams.
“I’m committed to working respectfully and diligently for Quesnel,” she said.
Sjostrom added it was important for council to put aside their differences.
With 10 candidates vying for six positions on council, it was obviously important for each to put their best foot forward in this first public debate.
Also in alphabetical order, John Brisco dove right in with his vision should he be elected as diversifying industry, attracting more manufacturing and new businesses to Quesnel. He said a new multi-centre would certainly be an attractant.
Incumbent councillor Mike Cave said he was committed to leaving a positive legacy.
He was followed by Ed Coleman who prides himself on being a big picture person who values the benefits of teamwork. Cory Delves served six years as mayor of Port Clements on Haida Gwaii and said he was quite disturbed by recent reports out of council. This motivated him to offer his considerable experience in municipal politics to residents of Quesnel.
Scott Elliott said he was honest, accountable and passionate about community, promising to bring his extensive knowledge gained through volunteering and his life skills to council.
Trevor Gulbransen, who has volunteered his time with Quesnel gymnastics and the Canadian Cancer Society said his disappointment in city management moved his to run. He wants to restore trust in Council and address some of the big issues such as West Quesnel land stability, multi-centre and upgrading the city works yard.
Paul Kainth, presented several priorities in his presentation including using resources wisely, developing more spaces for seniors in assisted living and providing strong leadership with a diverse council. He said there was so much to do, the community can’t afford cantankerous animosity in council.
Incumbent councillor Laurey Anne Roodenburg took a slightly different approach, bringing a chunk of wood to the podium asking ‘What do you see?’
She went on to say we need to spotlight our wood products more and lobby the government on behalf of industry.
Roodenburg was followed by incumbent councillor Sushil Thapar who stated ‘what you see is what you get’ regarding his style of politics. He appreciated the challenges facing city hall and asked the voters to reelect him.
The final candidate, Mitch Vik, a young entrepreneur in Quesnel, said running a tight fiscal ship, building successful brands and team building are skills he brings to his candidacy. He encouraged everyone to get engaged in the voting process.
The public was encouraged to pose written questions to the candidates regarding their policies, but no direct interaction was allowed either between the public or the other candidates.
The mayoral candidates will square off in a Mayor’s Forum at the Dragon Gate Restaurant at 7 p.m. and the Seniors Advocacy Service, in partnership with the Legion, are sponsoring an All Candidates Forum Nov. 12, 2 – 4 p.m.
