Monday's (Nov. 7) well-attended candidates' forum was a terrific example of democracy in action, illustrating - we can only hope - that Squamish residents are engaged and are ready to take to the polls in significantly higher numbers than the appallingly low 41.9 per cent of eligible voters who cast ballots in 2008.
The candidates were engaging, the audience respectful and Terrill Patterson was in fine form in his role as the props-wielding, laughter-inducing, cynical council watchdog. An exercise in democracy and the best live theatre in town since the somewhat abbreviated Between Shifts production of The Princess Bride: What more could a Squamolean want?
All the questions asked were probing, forcing the candidates to think on their feet in their efforts to get noticed and elucidate a vision for Squamish of the future, though this writer thought the Paradise Trails questions got a bit tiresome. Undoubtedly, the issues raised by the two questioners are important ones, but four questions on the same topic - two to the mayoral candidates, two to council hopefuls - meant that the answers to those questions took up something like 25 minutes. We'd say that's more than enough.
Clearly, not all forum questions are created equal. The one this writer found a bit curious was the one asking the mayoral candidates to state why they have chosen or not chosen to take part in the Squamish Speaks Facebook group. Pardon this writer for asking, but is that not a question of style? Sure, Squamish Speaks and other, similar forums represent a terrific way for candidates to engage with voters, and each other, but they're only one of many. Presumably, the questioner already knew when he stepped to the microphone which were using Squamish Speaks and which were not. Would it not have been more pertinent to ask, "How are you engaging with voters during the campaign?" - leaving the question more open-ended?
Either way, to make an informed decision, voters need to determine the answers to questions of substance far more than they need to answer questions related to a candidate's campaigning style. It's important that candidates are engaging with voters, but not so important which tools they're using in the endeavour. Historically, those seeking elected office engaged with voters long before there was a Facebook or a Squamish Speaks. Don't crucify those who choose, for whatever reason, not to be part of a certain "group."
Here's a prediction: This editorial will be analyzed and picked apart in that and perhaps other forums. And that's fine. It's called a free marketplace of ideas. Have at 'er, gang.
This writer has faith in Squamish voters' ability to determine which factors relate to style and which relate to substance and cast their ballots based mostly on the criteria that really matter.
- David Burke
