The six candidates in Merritt’s upcoming byelection got their say on a variety of issues at an all-candidates forum on Feb. 13.
Merritt’s economy and transparency at city hall were the hot topics of the night.
The audience question portion of the evening dominated the event.
Most prospective councillors shared the opinion that open communication is one of the most important functions of a city council. It was a theme that resurfaced throughout candidates’ answers to other questions, including what they thought about the new branding direction for the city.
Most of the six candidates said in their answers they’d like to know more about the brand development process.
Julie Van Koll said she doesn’t know the background behind the tagline “Country with attitude,” but will reserve judgement until she learns more about the strategy behind it at an open house.
Linda Baird, a former educator, said she first associated the word “attitude” with school-aged kids.
Candidates from the byelection answered questions for about 90 people at the forum, moderated by Q101’s Jamie Ballam (left).
The candidates vying for a single seat on city council are, from left: Ginny Prowal, Mike Jolly, Linda Baird, Julie Van Koll, Noreen Cross and Neil Menard.
“Do we have to have a brand? Can’t we just call it what it is? What does Merritt really represent?” Baird said.
Mike Jolly said he doesn’t like the branding, but he also didn’t know the vision behind it. He said he needs to see the whole picture before he makes the call.
Ginny Prowal said in reading the explanation behind the branding, she understands where it’s going.
“It sounded like Merritt, and I was quite impressed with it. What I didn’t like was a little box that said ‘Merritt: Country with attitude.’ We need a logo,” Prowal said.
Neil Menard said it makes sense to stay within the country theme, but there is more to Merritt than that, citing the Merritt Centennials.
Noreen Cross said the country theme makes sense, but she’s not sure she likes the word ‘attitude.’
“We do have attitude here in Merritt. If we’re going to spend the money doing this, keep an open mind before you jump down and say it’s no good. Give it a chance to resonate a bit,” Cross said. “I’m not necessarily for it either, but hey, it might grow on us.”
When asked what they think of heavy industry being located in city limits, the prospective councillors’ answers revolved around similar points.
Prowal said the location of industrial zoning can be traced back to a now-defunct mine, but bylaws and buffer zones can improve potential nuisances created by heavy industry.
Jolly was staunch on his position.
“Repeat after me: no heavy industry in the city limits, period,” he said, punctuating each word for emphasis.
Baird and Van Koll said they realize industry is important to the future of the city, and they are willing to look at other possible locations that might be appropriate for industrial zoning. Van Koll said a referendum might bring forth alternatives from the community as to where heavy industry goes.
Cross and Menard said the tax base created by industry in city limits is a factor that can’t be ignored.
“You need the tax dollars to pay for infrastructure and all the wonderful things you want for your community,” Cross said. “If we don’t have industry, we don’t survive.”
Menard also said industry is a factor that could keep young people in Merritt.
“Not all of our young people are going to be doctors and dentists and lawyers and whatnot,” he said. “A lot are going to be everyday working people who want to be tradesmen or production workers.”
The candidates’ answers ran the spectrum when they were asked what issues they feel they can address before the general election in November.
Van Koll said crime prevention is one area that council can start with.
“Crime is an issue, as it is in many communities. What people are really saying is, ‘We want a safe place to live.’ That’s something that would need to be addressed. How do we create a safe community that people are going to enjoy living in?” Van Koll said.
Baird and Jolly mentioned investing in the city’s aging infrastructure as one of the ways to attract people to live and set up business in Merritt.
Cross and Jolly said the city’s zoning is a main issue for Merritt.
Prowal said stability at city hall is one of the main hurdles for the city.
“It’s really hard when we have a different person in a different job and they’re replaced. It’s nobody’s fault; you just need some stability at city hall,” she said.
Menard said the city’s finances and taxes are at the top.
The final question of the night was posed by an audience member who asked candidates what they would do to improve local health care.
They all agreed it is out of municipal jurisdiction as it’s dictated by the provincial government’s Interior Health Authority, but they are open to ideas for the local council to help lobby or pressure the provincial government.
The candidates are vying for one open seat on city council left vacant at the end of October by the departure of Alastair Murdoch.
General voting takes place Saturday, Feb. 22 at city hall.
About 90 people attended the forum.
