With a colourful wall mural behind them, which showcased local youthís artistic skills, most of the municipal candidates showed up to face the tough questions. at the Airdrie Youth Forum on Oct. 8
While the turnout of the forum was less than excepted, it didnít stop the dozen or so people from putting the candidates in the hot seat with issues that affect youth in Airdrie at the Boys and Girls Club in the Ron Ebbesen Arena.
Robbie White, community developer for youth at City of Airdrie kicked off the night, welcoming everyone, and introducing the moderator for the discussion ñ 16-year-old Donivan Ryan ñ who kept strict watch on the candidateís one-minute time limit throughout the night.
All candidates were present except Allan Hunter.
While it takes courage to face the questions, it takes more to stand up and ask candidates questions, but thatís exactly what eight-year-old Kate Kucharski did.
ìHow many City council meetings have you been to in the past year?î she asked from behind the microphone.
The answers varied from ìall of them,î to ìnoneî.
ìI havenít missed any that werenít cancelled (in three years),î incumbent-hopeful Ron Chapman, said.
On the other end of the spectrum, Jane Anderson ñ one fourth of the Airdrie Team United said ì(she) hasnít been to any in the past couple of years,î but went on to say that a ìfew years agoî she attended a few.
Youth continued asking hard hitting questions, keeping candidates on their feet.
ìWith respect to the new Anti-Bullying bylaw, does it include LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)?î Jonathon Barrett, 17, asked candidates.
ìWe all live in this world,î Darrell Belyk, who explained that he knows the effects of bullying first hand. ìThere should be no prejudice.î
Ken Maines surprised the crowd with a different stance on the issue.
ìThe bullying bylaw does nothing, bullies are bullies,î he said passionately at the youth forum.
ì(Ö) You should have the self-esteem to fend off bullies. There will always be bullying, everywhere.î
Brandon Harman, 17, asked council hopefuls what their biggest priority was for Airdrie, and the questions revealed a variety of answers from candidates.
ìI think affordability would be mine,î Rob Jamieson said. ìI donít want to raise taxes but we have to be careful with how we spend our money.î
Attracting more businesses and keeping the City financially stable were among the answers discussed. The possibility of an indoor playground was also discussed by Jane Anderson.
ìI think transportation would be my No.1 priority,î Mohammed Benin said. ìI was born in Ghana, Africa, and without transportation I wouldnít be here in Canada.î
Sustain growth was Kelly Heggís first priority, according to the veteran councillor, and ìto promote the vital wellness for everyone in (Airdrie)î was part of Richard Herdmanís mission statement.
Fourteen-year-old Airdrie resident, Morgan Strand, stepped up the microphone to ask councillors their opinion of youth programs currently operating in the city and if the city is coping with youth disabilities.
ìCouncil needs to support youth programs,î Candice Kolson said. ì(They) have never been adequate.î
Most of the candidates praised The Airdrie Boys and Girls Club ñ which hosted the event ñ and their programs and efforts to initiate and sustain youth programs.
ìThere are numerous funding programs, itís a hard decision to look at each organization looking for funding,î Chapman said. ìWeíd love to hear what (programs) you want to do.î
