CORNER BROOK Candidates in the upcoming municipal byelection in Corner Brook will have two opportunities to address the public on the issues of the city.
Public forums are being planned for March 7 and March 9.
The first is being planned by the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade, with a partnership of The Western Star and TheWesternStar.com and Rogers Television.
The second is a project of CornerBrooker.com.
Heather Collins, vice-president of the board of trade, says it’s an important opportunity for candidates to present their ideas to the people of Corner Brook.
“The people of Corner Brook can come and ask their questions and get to know the faces behind the names,” she said. “The better informed a voter is, the more likely they are to vote, and in turn, feel that they are part of the bigger picture in the city of Corner Brook.”
The Monday forum will give each of the seven candidates allotted time for opening and closing remarks, as well as an opportunity to answer questions as suggested from the general public. Collins says the participation of the public is a crucial part of helping voters who decide should represent them.
“It is great that we can put forward a public forum that gives the voters a voice,” she said. “Candidates will be given the opportunity to present their stand on the issues and answer questions that the public wants to know.”
Western Star publisher Shawn Woodford will moderate the forum.
“We anticipate a lively discussion at the forum that will give our readers — and all taxpayers — a strong indication of who should represent them around the council table,” Woodford said. “The Western Star and TheWesternStar.com are pleased to help provide the people with a forum to make these decisions.”
The Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade/Western Star/Rogers Television forum will take place at Greenwood Inn and Suites, 7-9 p.m. Rogers will be recording the event.
The forum being hosted by CornerBrooker.com will take Brewed on Bernard on Wednesday night.
“CornerBrooker.com is all about giving the residents of Corner Brook a place to talk about the events and issues in their city,” said site editor Tom Cochrane. “By hosting this forum, we’ll bring the questions and concerns of residents to the people who want to help run our city.”
Questions will be collected and posed to the candidates by a moderator during the forum.
For those who cannot make it in person, a complete video of the forum will be posted online at CornerBrooker.com.
Candidates vying for a seat on council include June Alteen, Gary Kelly, Tonya Organ, Trent Quinton, Tarragh Shanahan and Alton Whelan.
