With municipal election nominations now in, voters in Turner Valley can hear the opinions of the 15 candidates vying for a spot on council.
The Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce and Turner Valley Ratepayers Board have teamed up to host three all candidate forums at the Turner Valley Elementary School Sept. 25 and Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. and the Valley Neighbours Club Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior.
Todd Williams, president of the ratepayers board, will chair the three sessions.
Williams said they will follow the Alberta Chamber of Commerce guidelines, which allows three or five minutes for each candidate to present his or her campaign.
The candidates will then have two minutes maximum to answer general questions prepared by the ratepayers group and chamber, as well as those from the public.
“It’s just to stimulate conversation,” said Williams of the prepared questions.
“We are going to focus on concerns of residents. From a ratepayer’s perspective we are not promoting any individual candidates.”
As the chair, Williams said his role is to ensure the public is respectful and the questions are appropriate.
“We are not going to allow this to get out of hand,” he said.
“We want everybody to have an opportunity to express their questions and the candidates to express their opinions. Nobody is going to be ranting and raving.”
Williams said hosting three sessions increases the opportunity for residents to attend.
“We felt like if we just had one session that wouldn’t give everybody in town the opportunity,” he said. “We felt this was a good approach to have three opportunities to show up. If we have a lower number at each individual (session) all it does is provide for more engagement. Maybe it will be the same people at all three events.”
The municipal election takes place Oct. 16.
