It’s time again. The time when we all decide who is going to make decisions around our council tables about general day to day things in your town and municipality that affect your lives. Now and over the next four years.
I was pleased when I found the post by Courtney Kostecky on Facebook that you see printed just to the right of this column. As a CAO and former councillor in two Manitoba municipalities, I thought she brought up some really good points that are good to consider when you’re looking at where to cast your votes. After all, like I always say, no one ever knows the behind the scenes of anyone’s job. This one is no different.
This time around, there’s a pretty good mixture in both the Municipality of Russell Binscarth and the RM Riding Mountain West of new folks looking to represent you around the table.
Of course, with the incumbents, you’ll know what’s gone on over the past four years and with some people, longer than that. And now is your time to ask questions you might have over decisions they’ve made – even if they happened to the folks on the other side of the RM, you might want to ask if your property and peace might be at risk sometime in the future too.
For instance, at this point, I’m going to think that most people saw what happened to the village of Shellmouth with the approved gravel pits there and how, relatively quickly that became an issue for the people who owned property at the Cottage Cove development. The RM of Riding Mountain is huge - also including Silverton and Angusville and do you need to have some assurance from the incumbents who made that decision and the new people running what, in the future that could mean for you. And, Lord knows, the councillors do have difficult decisions to make.
The same applies in every place in the province. and prior to the October 28th election is the time to ask those questions.
For both the incumbents and the new folks who are letting their names stand ask them what their vision for the next four years is. How do they feel about things like Economic Development for instance, what do they foresee coming here and what would they like to happen and how might they see that happening.
How might they see their councils dealing with huge issues like housing and health care and what challenges you might see and think need to be dealt with.
By the time you read this, the meet and greet for the candidates as part of the Beef and Barley volunteer night will have passed.
But there’s another chance to hear the views of the candidates and to ask questions.
We’re hosting more of a public meeting style event moderated by Randy Moffit from Roblin (He and his wife Lori (Tibbatts) used to live in Binscarth and must have been very well liked because every time I mention this name, everyone seems to know them and have great memories of both of them.)
We’re going to first have every candidate speak for a few minutes and then have a question period. In the interest of avoiding chaos, your questions can be submitted to me - here via my email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or just by giving me a shout at the office - 204-773-2069. Anyone who wants to have a specific questions added can also track me down at the meeting. I plan to be there about 6 pm. So even if you have a question and have submitted it to me prior to the meeting, it will be asked. We’ll have gone through the questions to ensure they’re polite and we’re asking that candidates show up about 6:30 pm so you’ll have a chance to ask them questions privately too before the 7 pm meeting.
The evening will run from 7 - 9 pm thanks to the generosity of the Leisure Centre board.
If you can, bring a handful of change as there will be a collection at the door to help pay for Randy’s travel taking the now longer trek from Roblin to Russell.
We hope to see you and all the candidates there.
Public meeting with the election candidates
Monday Oct. 19th at 7:00 pm at the Russell Leisure Centre
529 Main Street North