TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. - Residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from council candidates Wednesday night as Tumbler Ridge hosts an all-candidates meeting ahead of the October 17 municipal election.
The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Rooms 4 and 5 of the Tumbler Ridge Community Centre. Organizers say the event is intended to help voters learn more about the candidates, their priorities and the issues facing the community before ballots are cast.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, council candidate Chris Norbury said public participation is an important part of the democratic process.
“We only have an opportunity once every four years to vote in our elected officials,” Norbury said, adding that residents should take the time to learn where candidates stand on local issues and whether their priorities align with those of the community.
Norbury said the forum will also give candidates an opportunity to hear directly from citizens and better understand emerging concerns.
“I think it’s also important for us incumbents and new people to hear the questions that the public has,” he said. “Maybe the concerns are changing. Maybe there’s some new budding issue that we need to get on top of.”
Eight candidates are running for six council seats in this year’s election, with three incumbents seeking re-election. Mayor Darryl Krakowka has been acclaimed and will return to the mayor’s chair without opposition.
The forum will be moderated by former Dawson Creek councilor Jeremy Earl, who is not seeking re-election.
Local issues expected to be discussed include health care, education, economic diversification and wildfire preparedness, along with any concerns raised by residents during the question-and-answer portion of the evening.