In recent weeks, The Equity has run editorials imploring people to get more involved in municipal politics.
Well, here is your chance.
On Oct. 12 The Equity will host a debate between the candidates for MRC Pontiac Warden.
This is a great chance for people who may not have the time to run for office to actively participate in their local democracy.
As we noted last week, more than 57 per cent of the municipal seats held in the Pontiac were won unopposed. This is a staggeringly high number.
As these numbers bear out, many people don’t have the time to run for office, and fair enough.
But here is your chance to contribute to local politics without having to commit large swaths of your time.
The debate will start at 7 p.m. in the Pontiac High School auditorium. Each candidate will get a two minute opening remark, followed by a series of questions.
That’s where you come in.
Surely, by looking at the many politically-motivated Facebook groups in the region, people seem to have many critiques of local government. Here is your chance to put a question to those who can work to change the status quo. Send your questions to editor@theequity.ca. We’ll pick the best questions that cover a range of topics and put them to the candidates.
All you have to do is show up and listen to what they have to say and decide who you think is the best option when you go to the voting booth.
We know that people lead busy lives, especially those with young children. So we’re aiming to keep the debate to a reasonable time frame: no more than an hour and a half.
Even if you have a question that we’re not able to get to, you’ll have a chance to shoot the breeze with the candidates afterwards.
This is a great opportunity for people in the region to gauge what kind of person they want in a Warden. This is the first time Pontiac residents will have the chance to choose their warden. And this race has no shortage of qualified candidates.
On top of that, there are several issues facing the Pontiac at this point in time – so there should be no shortage of relevant questions.
Head over to The Equity’s Facebook page or email the editor to submit your questions.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you there!
Chris Lowrey
