Elkford by election candidates Terry Anonson, Troy Tobin, Steve Fairbairn, Kevin Atherton and Tom Clements recently had the opportunity to express their thoughts and try to win over votes during the all candidates forum held last week. The forum, hosted by the Elkford Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Free Press saw approximately fifty members of the public in attendance and lasted for approximately one hour. Four of the five candidates were physically in attendance while Atherton attended via Skype. Each took turns making a two minute opening statement making reference to their life experience, their values and their ties to Elkford.
Moderator Glen Purdy then turned the time over to the floor where members of the public asked questions. The question on most people's minds asked to the candidates was, 'Why did you choose to run now, and not in the fall?' Most of the candidates had similar answers that they were thinking of running, but due to other commitments and time constraints they could not make it work at that time, whereas now they juggled things around to make it work. Other questions posed to candidates were their thoughts on low-income housing, Centermount Coal, the Elkford Chamber of Commerce and its value to Elkford, how to attract new young families to the community, their available time to devote to the position on council, a deer cull and seniors housing. Each of the candidates took turns answering all nine of the publicly posed questions.
Each of the candidates expressed their vision of growth, diversity and sustainability for Elkford. Each of the candidates closed with final statements. "It's actually kind of too bad, that these candidates didn't run in the fall," says Melody Anderson, Elkford Chamber of Commerce President. "Now we have five really great candidates and we can only choose one of them," she says.
General Voting Day is on Saturday, March 31, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Advanced polls begin on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The location to vote is at the Municipal Office Council Chambers 816 Michel Road, Elkford, BC.
For more information, contact Dorothy Szawlowski, Deputy Chief Election Officer, Phone 250.865.4000.