Mayoral candidate quits chamber after debate cancelled

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This article was published 24/09/2018 (2563 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mayoral candidate Don Woodstock said he is cancelling his company’s membership in the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce after the organization cancelled a mayoral debate because Brian Bowman refused to participate.

Woodstock, who owns JamRock Securities, a licensed installer of security alarm systems, said the move was made by the chamber executive without consulting its members.

The chamber has traditionally held mayoral debates during elections, but only invites the front-runners. It had planned to do that again this year, but made the decision Thursday not to proceed without Bowman, who is running for a second term.

Bowman said his campaign told the chamber in August he would only participate in debates and forums in which all eight candidates are invited, not just those considered front-runners.

It is a course change from the 2014 election, when Bowman was one of only five of the seven mayoral candidates invited to participate in the chamber event. At a campaign event Friday, Bowman defended his approach and denied allegations he’s afraid to face off against only front-runners.

Woodstock said he agrees with Bowman’s position that all candidates should participate, but said the chamber’s mayoral debate should go on without the incumbent.

“We have issues that are pressing, like affordable housing, crime, meth, cost over-runs, corporate welfare, water treatment plant, police headquarters, inefficiencies and on and on and on,” Woodstock said in a statement. “As candidates, we need to share our ideas with the public.”

Gerbasi endorses Rollins

Jenny Gerbasi isn’t running for re-election, but that isn’t stopping her from getting involved.

Gerbasi announced Friday she is endorsing Sherri Rollins to succeed her as council representative for the Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry ward.

“We need strong, progressive women on council who will fight for social justice in our city,” Gerbasi said in a statement released from her personal email account.

Gerbasi has represented the ward for 20 years.

Other candidates running the ward race are Michael Thompson, Peter Koroma, Jeff Palmer, Bryanna Spina, Harry Wolbert and Stephanie Meilleur.

Redirect campaign donations: candidate

Charleswood-Tuxedo candidate Kevin Klein said voters who are thinking of making financial contributions to a candidate should give their money to the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters instead.

Klein’s campaign said Saturday was the anniversary of “the day his mother was killed at the hands of her husband.”

“If you’re thinking about donating to a political campaign, I applaud your commitment to ensuring you have strong representation at city hall, but I ask you today to think about a cause more important,” Klein said.

“I ask you to donate to the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters instead, to ensure those who need to escape can before it’s too late.”

Also running in Charleswood are Ken St. George, Kevin Nichols and Grant Nordman.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca