“It’s important to have dialogue,” concluded Larry Anderson, the organizer of the Candidates Forum for the Village of Morrin on Fri. Oct. 13, “I’m sorry the others chose not to come.”
Two out of the five candidates attended and presented their election platforms, M’Liss Edwards and Howard Helton.
M’Liss Edwards, stated ‘communication’ was her main election platform. Included in her points and questions she answered from the 19 in attendance, was to look at the Village having a website where agendas, bylaws, vacant lots for sale or rent, and for promoting the community as a great place to live.
This last comment was answered to the question regarding the drop in numbers at their Grade 1 – 12 school in Morrin and concerns expressed over lack of village support at the last homecoming.
When asked, both candidates were strongly in favour of recording the council meetings to stop the ‘he said, she said’ disagreements, and providing all requested public documents to the public immediately rather than the public having to go through the FOIP Commissioner.
Howard Helton’s election platform was to encourage cohesion amongst councillors and staff by engaging Municipal Affairs either through a dispute mechanism or a Municipal Affairs review so the Village can move forward in a positive manner.
Helton noted that he was comfortable that the Village financials were in order but felt there was a definite need for an attitude change and fair equitable treatment of everyone at village office, and a water and sewer bylaw.
Both expressed their desire to plan for the future with continued upgrading of infrastructure for the village.
Anderson concluded the hour and a half forum by acknowledging the 10 years of hard work and dedication by Mayor Suzanne Lacher who is stepping down.
ECA Review
J. Webster, reporter
