Some incumbents face serious challenges

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2010 (5781 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fourteen of 16 candidates vying for a position as city councillor in this month’s municipal election had a shot at winning some votes on Tuesday night.

The four incumbent councillors who faced no opposition and will be acclaimed on Oct. 27 weren’t part of the forum.

The 2010 election forum gave the candidates two hours to make opening and closing statements to answer questions in the same format as for the mayoral debate that occurred immediately afterwards.

It became clear during the forum that a few incumbents face some serious challenges this time around.

Arguably, one of the most vibrant contests will be in Richmond ward in the city’s south end.

Voters can choose from Margo Campbell — who has 21 years experience on council — or former Brandon University Students’ Union president Stephen Montague, who’s making his second try for the ward.

The duo provided some choice lines when the topic of age came up by the panel.

“Margo Campbell was first elected when I was nine years old. I’m now 30 — that’s quite a lot,” Montague said.

Campbell used the analogy of someone who is in need and looking for help. “(Would you call for change) or would you stick with the one you know who was there for you?” she asked.

While most candidates acquitted themselves fairly well, in our view, several candidates really shone Tuesday night.

They include: Both of the aforementioned candidates in the Richmond ward, Shaun Berry (running in Linden Lanes and who works in the Sun’s circulation department), Jeff Fawcett (Assiniboine), Errol Black (Riverview) and Corey Roberts (Rosser).

Special thanks to Sun columnist Kerry Auriat who moderated both events.

The fora — including the trustee event Monday night — will be shortly be available for viewing at brandonsun.com.

Just click on the Election 2010 link on our home page.