The Madawaska Valley Public Library partnered up with the Royal Canadian Legion Barry’s Bay Branch 406 to bring a Q&A type-event to the Valley on Thursday night. The event featured the Madawaska Valley’s municipal candidates running for council and mayor. The evening was curated by freelance political and media journalist James Di Fiore.
The evening gave the candidates a chance to show off their platforms in the hopes of swaying every vote in their direction as their campaigns come to an end Monday October 22.
The evening ran somewhat smoothly with over 100 audience members present at the Barry’s Bay legion. Many important issues were raised and pertinent questions were asked by the moderator and the audience members in attendance. In total 5 audience members got up to the microphone to ask the mayoral candidates their questions which were answered over a period of approximately 30 minutes. The same treatment was given to the candidates running for council.
One of the most attention-getting questions was asked by an audience member who wanted to know if the mayor had the sole power to terminate the employment of a municipal worker. This question alluded to the firing of an ex-integrity commissioner. The question garnered a certain rise of emotion for the candidates and audience members. Other topics addressed was the future of the fitness center and how to get young people and newcomers to stay in Barry’s Bay.