The city’s at-large and mayoralty candidates had plenty to say on a variety of topics at Tuesday night’s candidate forum held at the Moose Hall.
Here’s a quick sampling of their comments:
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“I know we can make it better. I know we can work together … We can have economic growth by thinking outside the box.” – Terri-Lynne Carter, at-large candidate
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“I want a city where the citizen has a say in how it works.” – Kim Coreau, at-large candidate
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"When everyone says why don't we have a waterfront like Duluth, I say why don't we have roads like Duluth?" - Ian Convey, at-large candidate
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“I think we are truly headed down a fiscal highway to hell.” – Tamara Johnson, at-large candidate, on the city’s plan to build an event centre
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“You can’t have a healthy economy when there’s an unhealthy community.” – Norm Sponchia, at-large candidate
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“When I wipe my butt, I can say I do it with a good conscience.” – Doug McKay, mayoral candidate, after telling audience planting half-a-million trees is his greatest accomplishment.
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“Our city has no business enabling alcoholism of any kind in the community.” – Tamara Johnson, who panned Shelter House’s alcohol-management program
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“If we felt a plebiscite was needed, we'd have put one there.” –Aldo Ruberto, at-large candidate, on the event centre
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“I just like to take a stand. And I also like to change my mind once in awhile.” – Mayor Keith Hobbs, on his event centre plebiscite flip-flop
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“It’s happening all over the world … so I’m not some raving lunatic.” – Doug MacKay on his pro-marijuana legalization stance
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“My campaign slogan is build neighbourhoods, not an event centre we can’t afford.” – Shane Judge, mayoral candidate
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“Right now we’ve got a strategy that essentially warehouses the poor.” – Robin Rickards, at-large candidate
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“I’m all in favour of bike lanes, as long as they’re put in the right place. Victoria Avenue is a disaster.” – Mayor Keith Hobbs
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“If we were to divert the organic, we’d be very close to the provincial (waste diversion) average.” – Frank Pullia, at-large candidate
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“The community has to recycle.” – Rebecca Johnson, at-large candidate
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“All governments are terrorists and criminal organizations. If you don’t believe me, ask the First Nations.” – Ed Hailio, at-large candidate.
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“I think I was the only candidate here who got booed.” – Tamara Johnson
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“We should be looking at building a wood-pellet plant to fuel the plant on Mission Island.” – Lawrence Timko, at-large candidate
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“Think of what you can do with $112 million in a city like ours.” – Sargon Khubyar, at-large candidate on the estimated cost to build the proposed event centre
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“I suppose I have to remind people we’re $200 million in debt.” – Tamara Johnson
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“I don’t think negatively. Negativity only builds cancer.” Chris Holland, at-large candidate
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“I’m the only member of council who rides the bus.” – Larry Hebert, at-large candidate
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“My household struggles from paycheque to paycheque, just like everybody else. We have to learn how to budget.” – Kim Coreau
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“We know we have the human element. What we need is the driving economy.” – Ken Boshcoff, mayoral candidate
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“I don’t sit on the fence. I’m decisive. I make decisions. You may not like them.” – Keith Hobbs
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“Party pooper or prudent?” – Shane Judge on his event centre stance
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“It is time that administration had some direction.” – Henry Wojak, mayoral candidate
- “Nothing has changed in the last four years.” – Colin Burridge, mayoral candidate