“There are issues facing the community, I hear people voice them. Now is the time to speak out.”
That’s the message from Paula Brazil of the Virden & District Chamber of Commerce and one of the people organizing a candidates’ debate on Oct. 15 at Tundra Oil & Gas Place.
Brazil says a debate is the right forum for candidates to introduce themselves and their platforms while giving the public a chance to ask questions and gauge responses.
The last time Virden had an election debate was six years ago in 2012 when candidates vied for one vacant seat on council.
This time around, there are 12 candidates running for office - two for mayor and ten for councillor. All have been invited to participate in the Monday evening debate.
What to expect
Brazil says the debate will begin with candidates each getting two minutes to introduce themselves. Then they’ll answer randomly-drawn questions from a list of 12 they’ve already been sent, prepared by the Chamber committee.
The final portion of the debate involves questions from the public.
Brazil explains, “Questions can either be submitted to the newspaper (Empire-Advance reception), by email to virdendebate@hotmail.comor at the debate. These questions from the public should be addressed to an individual candidate if at all possible.”
Mayor Jeff McConnell is the MC for the evening and Brazil will be the moderator.
The event is free and open to the general public Monday at 7 p.m.
