It was, as moderator David Walls (College of the Rockies CEO) noted, “a marathon.”

A packed Key City Theatre audience was last night provided a clearer picture as to whom Cranbrook voters will select Nov. 15 during the four-hour-long JCI Kootenay-hosted All-Candidates Forum.

The bulk of the evening was taken up by the council candidates portion of the forum due to 16 candidates seeking office.

Prepared questions and audience questions were presented to: Alan MacBean, Anna Hudson, 
Bob Faiers, 
Brad Scriver, Brian Kostiuk, Danielle Cardozo, Diana J. Scott, Gerry Warner, 
Isaac Hockley, 
James Elliott, 
Lynn McIntosh, Norma Blissett, Ron Popoff, Sharon Cross, Tom Shypitka
 and Wesly Graham. (See images below)

Due to the vast quantity of words that would be required to outline candidates’ answers, we’re going to skip that bit. Mount Baker Secondary School students filmed the council portion of the forum and when that video is provided to the City of Cranbrook to be posted, we will provide a link.

All candidates were in lock step when it comes to the shape of Cranbrook’s roads and most made some comments about the importance of improved economic development in the city.

Urban deer, downtown revitalization, the old fire hall as an arts centre, pesticide/herbicide use, Western Financial Place, removing barriers to business, being more fiscally prudent, city transit, youth, social issues and transparent government were among topics and views expressed.

In short: this writer came away with a much clearer idea as to who he will be voting for Nov. 15.

In the mayoral portion of the evening, incumbent Mayor Wayne Stetski and challengers Lee Pratt and John York engaged in a more lively discussion before a thinned out theatre crowd.

Topics discussed were the same as to those posed to council candidates.

Stetski leaned on his record the past three years and offered glimpses as to what he’d like to accomplish in the next four-year term, while Pratt espoused the need for a more business-friendly city hall and York garnered some laughs through his presentation and views, which clearly separated him from Stetski and Pratt.

Pratt argued that Cranbrook’s economy is dead in its tracks while Stetski countered with some statistics showing upward trends. York agreed with Pratt that the city’s economy has slowed.

Stetski was the only mayoral candidate who offered a specific in terms of what could be done to generate more business activity, noting the potential for a greenhouse industry, utilizing Cranbrook’s reputation as “the sunniest city in B.C.”

Pratt said the city’s budget should be drilled into in order to find areas that could be cut, thereby freeing taxpayer dollars to be applied to roads. His business acumen and experience would make him an effective mayor, he said.

York said the city could save large volumes of money by paying down the debt on Western Financial Place and use the funds going toward interest rates on additional road repairs “instead of going into bankers’ pockets.”

In the ‘taking shots’ department, Pratt reminded the audience of Stetki’s affiliation with the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook and opposition to the East Hill Expansion and then noted how his council approved the Shadow Mountain boundary extension. Stetski countered by noting he would still oppose East Hill Expansion and reminded the audience that the Shadow Mountain boundary extension was handled by the council prior to his.

Pratt pointed out he holds no affiliation with any city group or organization.

Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce members can get a clearer picture on the three candidates’ views on the city’s economy Nov. 4 when the chamber is hosting a forum at the Heritage Inn from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The next evening the chamber is hosting a ‘for-members-only’ all-candidate forum, with a specific focus on business and the economy in the city, for council candidates.

The free Nov. 5 forum runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Heritage Inn.

Candidates and voters – become involved in e-KNOW’s campaign conversation site, click here.

For more on the upcoming election in the city go here

Lead image: From left, Mayoral candidates Lee Pratt and John York with current Mayor Wayne Stetski during the Oct. 29 All-Candidates’ Forum.

Ian Cobb and Carrie Schafer/e-KNOW

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