All Candidates Forum Huge Success
By 250 News
Tuesday, November 08, 2005 08:20 PM
More than 300 people attended the all candidates forum at the Coast Inn Of the North, sponsored by Opinion 250, Shaw TV, 97 the Wolf and 94X FM.
The mayoral candidates addressed issues from the Cameron Street Bridge, to economic diversification. Were there winners?
The audience was clearly focused on hearing from Dan Rogers and Colin Kinsley with the bulk of questions being steered their way. Any new information, not really, Colin Kinsley reiterated the effort to finish the job he started and promised the Cameron Street Bridge could be decorated with lights for Christmas, Dan Rogers pushed for a fresh look, and fiscal responsibility. Trent Derrick talked about focusing on development of a performing arts centre in downtown -- a fort at Fort George. Tyler Doerksen put his emphasis on creating a "green" Prince George with cleaner air, and reduced vehicular traffic. Nathan Prince was excited about business development for downtown.
When it came to the Council Candidates, the audience wanted to know which Council candidates supported a cancer clinic for P.G....all raised their hands.
Who would not support the rebuilding of the Cameron Street Bridge.... Candidates, Betty Bekkkering, Steve Sintich, Phyllis Parker and Jo Graber all raised a hand.
Graber later clarified that he voted that way because he has a better idea that would cost one third of the estimated rebuild cost.
What do the candidates think Prince George will gain from the 2010 Olympics? Here are just some of the responses:
Bal Gill said tourism tourism tourism. Shirley Gratton looks towards improved facilities, Phyllis Parker wants CN to provide free rides from Whistler to Prince George, Glen Scott says business has already been working on trying to tap the market, Sherry Sethen believes there is a great opportunity for businesses, Brian Skakun says it should help us improve our own facilities to better market the community.
The forum moderator was Opinion 250's Ben Meisner.
The questions we're brought forward by well known local media reps, from left to right: Jack DeWit, Peter Ewart, Elaine Macdonald, Eryn Collins and Ron East.
The entire evening was taped by Shaw TV and will be aired on the 12th, 13th and the 18th.
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Posted by: Chadermando on November 9 2005 12:47 AM
IMO the two big winners were Bal Gill and Ian Irvine. Two unheard of's before the event. Both of them I thought were on top of the issues in a reasoned and logical way. The deal maker for me was their answers to the 2010 question.
IMO we need to be ready to compete with the Lower Mainland for our share of the benefits from the 2010 tourism, and the best way to do that is to create our own PG specific tourism opportunities.
The night included a few funnies. One candidate talked about being seen around town in clown outfit, another wanted to build a fort at Fort Geoge Park, and Don Basserman was left explaining how burning wood waste downtown will improve the air quality.
I thought for a few candidates they let personal issues get in the way of a good campaign. A few others came out looking ready for the job with a good sense of importance of the job they were applying for.
The only thing I could add would be an open request to opinion250 to see if we could have the pictures of the candidates with their e-mail posted on opinion250.com. I found it hard to fiqure out who exactly was talking (although you could hear them well) It would be nice if a person could put a name and e-mail to the mesanger in order to contact them for follow up questions? Just a thought....