By Greg Higgins

No forum for candidates prior to election

Oct 21, 2016 | 5:00 PM

BattlefordsNOW received plenty of calls and emails from residents asking about candidate forums and how to reach them.

Usually the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce holds public candidate forums every election, but decided not to this year because of the federal and provincial elections happening so close together.

According to Executive Director Linda Machniak, cost played a factor but wasn’t the whole reason.

“In the case of the municipal election there are two forums that would have to take place. One of the town and one for the city,” Machniak said. “The decision to not hold them this election was made a while ago. At the Canadian chamber meeting many of the other groups were having similar discussions.”

In North Battleford there are 15 candidates vying for six council positions. Incumbents Don Buglas, Greg Lightfoot, Kelli Hawtin and Cathy Richardson are running for re-election.

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First time candidates include Darren Olson, Herman Bugler Jr., Steven Cormons, Colin Evans, Kent Lingren, Guy Turcotte and Kevin Steinborn.

Coming out of retirement to run for council again are Grace Lang, Wayne Ray, Don Salie and Len Taylor.

In Battleford Mayor David Mahon is stepping down leaving the door open for current council members Ames Leslie and David George to run.

For the six council spots, councillors Shelley Boutin-Gervais, Doug Laing, Susan McLean Tady and Gordon Yarde are running for re-election. Kirby Arbeau, Ken Chartier, Judy Pruden and Kevin Russell have also joined the race for councillor in the Oct. 26 election.

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.