Three people have thrown their hats into the ring for the vacant seat on Winkler city council.
When voters head to the polls Dec. 12 they’ll have to choose between candidates Dustin Brown, Pam Fedack, and Ryan Hildebrand for the council seat, which became available after the death of longtime city councillor Don Fehr earlier this fall. There are nearly two years left in the current term.
The Voice will be reaching out to all the candidates for interviews on who they are and why they feel they deserve your vote. Look for those profiles in our Nov. 21 edition.
In the meantime, you have the opportunity to hear from the candidates next Monday, Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the virtual forum being hosted by the City of Winkler and the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce.
The event will be livestreamed from the City of Winkler’s YouTube page.
Winkler’s election forums have been livestreamed in the past, but always in conjunction with an in-person event. Chamber executive director Tanya Chateauneuf explains the decision to go completely virtual this time around has to do with the quick turnaround between nominations closing last week and election day.
“Typically we have a lot more time to plan something … the short timeframe didn’t allow us to plan for an in-person event,” she says. “But we still wanted to make sure we were giving everyone the opportunity to ask questions [of the candidates] … this was the most convenient way to get the candidates in front of our community.”
Voter interest in byelections is traditionally low, but Chateauneuf urges Winklerites to take the opportunity to find out where these candidates stand on the issues facing Winkler today.
Questions can be emailed in advance to director@winklerchamber.com. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions virtually that evening.
As for election day, Winklerites can vote between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Meridian Exhibition Centre on Thursday, Dec. 12. There will also be mobile voting stations set up at BTHC, the Eden Mental Health Centre, Salem Home, and Winkler Heritage Village.
A person may be required to produce one piece of government-issued photo identification or at least two other documents that provide proof of identity.
If you wish to vote in advance via sealed envelope, you need to apply in person to the senior election official at City Hall or by email to seo@cityofwinkler.ca.
In-person advance voting will take place at City Hall on Dec. 4.
