ESTEVAN - People in the Estevan area had their first opportunity to hear from the candidates running in the upcoming civic election during a town hall event hosted by the Concerned Citizens Estevan SK group.
Well over 100 people attended the forum Wednesday night at the Wylie-Mitchell building to listen to comments and answers from each of the three candidates running for mayor and 10 for city councillor. The event was moderated by Myles Fichter and Milton Vicary of the Concerned Citizens.
The forum started with each candidate having up to three minutes to deliver opening comments, and it wrapped up with the council hopefuls each having two-minute closing remarks.
In between those two statements, the candidates fielded questions on a number of issues in the community. They were asked about their vision for the Energy City for the next four years; their thoughts on the diversity, equity and inclusion policy passed by city council at an August meeting; how they would improve communication coming from city hall; the amount of time spent discussing matters in committee; how to attract more businesses into the community; and how they would get the community through the loss of conventional coal-fired power and prepare the city for the arrival of small modular nuclear reactors.
The crowd was respectful during the event, and most stayed around throughout the forum, which lasted more than three hours.
Rebecca Foord, Tony Sernick and Zacch Vandenhurk have filed nomination papers for mayor.
Kevin Andrews, Stephen Daniel, Matthew Dubowski, Dave Elliott, Rhyan Hagel, Brian Johnson, Tom Mauss, Shelly Veroba, Kirsten Walliser and Robin Wog are vying for the six councillor seats.
A second candidates' forum, hosted by the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Nov. 6, starting at 7 p.m. at the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The civic election is slated for Nov. 13.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on the Concerned Citizens' forum.
