Re: Forums help candidates (Vesna Higham, Insight, Oct. 9, 2010) Red Deer Advocate.
Like many Red Deer citizens I was searching for candidate information at the onset of the municipal election campaign. I was pleased when Vesna Higham came forward with her Insight column in the Red Deer Advocate. Finally, we were going to have access to candidates’ positions on municipal issues to guide our selection.
Her unbiased credibility was destroyed at the Oct. 7 Chamber’s Candidate Forum when she singled Dianne Wyntjes on which provincial and federal parties she has supported. As a lawyer and former city councillor, does Higham not realize that our elections are based on the secret ballot and that Wyntjes is indeed running in a municipal election? Higham then goes on to dedicate a third of her next Insight column to justifying her inappropriate question directed solely at Dianne Wyntjes.
Voters seeking unbiased information about candidates’ platforms would be better served by Andrew Kooman’s 10 Questions Election Forum. This forum is accessed through RDPL’s website or directly at Andrewkooman.com, RD Vote 2010.
Both mayoralty candidates and 17 of the 18 councillor candidates have responded to Andrew’s common set of questions. Not one candidate is singled out about their federal or provincial voting preferences.
Raymond Morin
Red Deer