Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River residents are welcome to attend a municipal election candidates forum on Oct. 1 to learn more about the people campaigning to help sculpt the future of the community.
Alberta municipal elections will be taking place on Oct. 20, and the Town of Peace River has numerous candidates who have put their name in the race to be councillors for the community.
Peace River Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the forum at the Peace Valley Inns Emerald Room from 6-8:30 p.m.
“The candidates forum will provide the voters with the opportunity to help them make informed decisions in the upcoming municipal election,” says chamber general manager Reilly Bassendowski.
“It will allow residents the chance to hear directly from the candidates to compare their positions and ask questions before voting.”
Peace River has two citizens running for mayor including incumbent Mayor Elaine Manzer and incumbent councillor Shelly Shannon.
Potential councillors include Olayemi Babalola, Brad Carr, Devin Danberger, Brandon Dous, Robin Erickson, Orren Ford, Jeffrey Forsythe, Roechelle Gaudet, Don Good, Vyacheslav Natochev, Crystal Owens, Shawn Pittman, Terry Sawchuk, Byron Schamehorn, and Brian Whitty.
“The forum will be one of the best opportunities to be an informed voter and help people to have a voice in the upcoming election,” says Bassendowski.
“We are still waiting for a few candidates to confirm their attendance but most of the candidates will be there. A full list of who is attending can be found on our website, peaceriverchamber. com.”
Bassendowski says the forum will open with a brief opportunity for networking with the candidates. Following that all candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a quick overview of their platform. The chamber will then be opening the floor for a question-and-answer period.
“People will have the opportunity to ask questions on the floor, submit them in writing at the event, and email their questions in prior to the event to info@peaceriverchamber.com,” she says.
“It’s important for people to vote in the upcoming election so that our town council is the best representation of the town’s population. The forum is a great tool to utilize to become an informed voter and vote for the candidates that best represent the issues that are important to you as a voter.”