Everything is set for the municipal candidates debate scheduled for tonight at the Civic Centre. And mayoral opponents Coun. Sharon Tibbs and newcomer Dan Onichuk are seeing the event as a crucial part of their respective campaigns.
Coun. Tibbs said she’s confident of her performance in the debate.
“There are some important questions to be addressed, and the candidates have to be sure their opinions are informed ones,” she remarked.
“I’m hoping people will be tune in,” added Coun. Tibbs. “They have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to this election.
They definitely should pay attention to the media—the newspaper and radio—in the next month.”^“I’m absolutely looking forward to it,” said Onichuk. “I think it’s important for the people to get a chance to listen to those who they’ll be choosing to be the leaders of their community.”^He noted he’s aware of the topics the local media will be asking questions on and has been thinking about them.
“Some are going to be difficult to pinpoint. For example, how are we going to say how we’ll get ‘the house in order’ when we don’t exactly what the current financial situation is?” Onichuk wondered.
“There are a lot of tough question Sharon’s going to need to answer,” he added.
“I believe she’s going in with a disadvantage,” Onichuk continued, referring to the fact that while his opponent has experience, she also currently sits on a council has made some questionable decisions that have resulted in financial troubles, such as the River Walk condominium project and the 2002- 03 deficits.
The public can come down to the Civic Centre for the debate, which will run from 7-9 p.m., or stay at home and watch the coverage on Channel 10.
The format for the mayoral candidates debate will be much the same as the one for debate the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce organized prior to the provincial election last month.
Questions will be asked of each of the two candidates by four local media, including the Times. Each candidate then will have the same amount of time to respond and rebut.
But, as previously noted, the format for the council candidates debate will differ.
With so many candidates running (11), it just would take too much time to have the media ask each of them a question and give them each the same amount of time to respond and then rebut.
So instead, the Chamber has elected to ask a specific question to each candidate running for a seat on council, which they will be given four minutes to answer.
All candidates must remain sequestered until their time to speak.
The council candidates include incumbents Roy Avis, Struchan Gilson, and Neil Kabel, former councillors Gus Lindberg and John Albanese, and newcomers Misty Christian, Tannis Drysdale, Bud Edwards, Todd Hamilton, Pastor Stephen Laing, and Rick Wiedenhoeft.
As reported in Friday’s Daily Bulletin, Coun. Gilson will not be able to attend tonight’s debate due to a prior family commitment.
Hamilton has since confirmed he also won’t be on hand due to a family-related matter.
Election day is Nov. 10.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
