Council hopefuls discussed education, recreation and infrastructure, among other things, at Tuesday night’s all-candidates forum.
Kathy Wallace, Tim Thatcher, Jill Spearn, Kathy Moore, Carey Fisher, David Klein, Laurie Charlton, Bob Chamut and Jody Blomme talked about what they would do if elected/re-elected to council. Absent was Sharon Wieder.
Although big on the minds of taxpayers, the Columbia Washington renewal was brought up more by candidates than the public.
The general responce to this was that we would just have to wait and see what happens with grants before commiting to anything.
In terms of future investment and sustainability, Fisher said he would try to cut costs and raise the level of competition with neighbours, Blumet agreed. Moore and Wallace both reiterated that the public doesn’t like to lose servicess, so it’s difficult to cut things.
Spearn said that investment could come in terms of nomadic entrepeuneurs, people who work from home and don’t need new infrastructure for businesses built. She expressed her interest, shared by everyone on the forum in keeping K-12 in Rossland.
Charlton said that the city needs to create high value jobs and developments that don’t create more services.
Another question came about the Strategic Sustainability Plan and long-term sustainability.
Blomme suggested using the documents as guidelines and following through on them, while Fisher said that not enough is happening.
Klein said it is important to push forward on the things that the people are asking for.
Moore noted that there is a 30-year plan already in implementation, which sets out to start to address the plan.
In terms of platforms, Wallace said she would listen to the community and work with staff.
Thatcher said he was already involved with the communty and would keep it up in council. Spearn said she loves the job and has the experience that the incumbents have.
Moore said careful development, senior housing, and new businesses were important to the community and to prepare Rossland for an uncertain future.
Fisher said he would focus on roads, water and schools as well as cost cutting. Klein said that we must work together to sustain the community.
Charlton brought up that he understands that people want cost-effective programs in the city. Blomme said communication between council and citizens is key to a sucessful council.