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Pemberton all-candidates meeting draws large crowd in advance of Oct. 20 election

First Look: Around 100 people attend productive meeting focused largely on managing growth
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QUESTION TIME Adrian Bolden poses a question to council candidates at the Oct. 10 all-candidates meeting. Around 100 people attended the event. Photo by Joel Barde

Pemberton residents got their first look at the full crop of council hopefuls at the only all-candidates meeting to be held ahead of the municipal election Oct.20.

Around 100 people attended the Oct.10 event, which was held at the community centre and hosted by the Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association (PORCA) and the Pemberton Valley Trail Association (PVTA).

Following a short speech from Village of Pemberton (VOP) Mayor Mike Richman-who was acclaimed-the candidates introduced themselves and spent the bulk of the two-hour meeting fielding questions from the audience and chamber president Graham Turner.

Five candidates-David MacKenzie, Leah Noble, Amica Antonelli, Ryan Zant and incumbent Ted Craddock-are vying for four VOP council seats.

As he had a conflicting engagement, MacKenzie did not attend the meeting and was represented by Adam Adams, who outlined a platform and fielded some questions.

The dominant theme of the evening was growth, with many of the questions focused on concerns about overtourism in places like Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.

The candidates were also asked questions on land-use planning and affordable daycare.

The format lent itself to a lively, productive conversation, with a few of the questioners thanking the candidates for running.

Asked what he thought of the event at the end, resident Adrian Bolden said he was impressed with the turnout and discourse.

"I thought there was a lot of good questions brought up by the community," he said.

"It was a good turnout, and the format was very well run by Graham (Turner)."

Bolden also picked up on one of the last questions of the evening-on what council could do to encourage more civic participation.

"It's a very good question right now, and key to moving forward in politics," said Bolden.

Advanced voting is on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Village Office (7400 Prospect St.).

On Oct. 20 general voting will take place 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pemberton and District Community Centre (7390 Cottonwood St.).

Check back with Pique, or online at www.piquenewsmagazine.com, for the full story on the all-candidates meeting.