2013 MD of Pincher Creek All-Candidates Forum

Grant McNab, Garry Marchuk, Brian Hammond, Helen Cyr

Bjorn Berg, Terry Yagos, Fred Schoening

T. Lucas photo and videos

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Over seventy five people attended the Municipal District of Pincher Creek Number 9 All-Candidates forum hosted by SASCI at Pincher Creek's Heritage Inn on the evening of October 10. This was an opportunity for the public to find out more about the candidates and ask questions before the election that will be held on Monday October 21.

David Green acted as the Master of Ceremonies and moderator throughout the proceedings. "SASCI offered to facilitate both events," said Green regarding this and the Town of Pincher Creek forums. "We've done it before. We had great turnouts for the last three Municipal terms open forums. We stepped forward to do this, it's part of our role and the mandate of SASCI. We work toward leading the public to informed decision making."

An address by James Van Leeuwen preceded the event.  He spoke to the upcoming 'Becoming a Community Builder' program.  Each candidate was offered a turn time to speak, followed by a question and answer period.

Candidates drew numbers before the event to determine the order that they would address the public, resulting in the following order first to last: Garry Marchuk for Division 3, Grant McNab for Division 1, Brian Hammond for Division 4, Fred Schoening for Division 2, Helen Cyr for Division 1, Bjorn Berg for Division 4, and Terry Yagos for Division 5.

Incumbent Helen Cyr and Grant McNab are contending for Division 1. Incumbent Bjorn Berg and Brian Hammond are contending Division 4. Gary Marchuk, Fred Schoening and Terry Yagos have all been acclaimed for their Divisions.

After the speeches the floor was opened up to questions and answers. People could ask questions of individual candidates or the panel. David Green reminded those that attended that all School Board trustees had been acclaimed to their positions and introduced those that were in attendance. Over 15 citizens asked questions either directly at the microphone, or by writing their question for Green to address to those at the table. David Green said at the end of the evening more people put in questions, but many of the questions were similar enough to previously asked questions that they had been answered.

After the question and answer period most of the candidates stayed for a while to visit, talk with people and answer questions.