Project aims to help you know Stouffville candidates

YorkRegion.com
March 20, 2014
By Sandra Bolan

Seven.

That is the number of candidate meetings confirmed so far to be held prior to the Oct. 27 municipal election.

In 2010, there was only one all-candidates meeting.

The Sun-Tribune’s Community Links panel is spearheading the local get-to-know-your-candidate meetings as part of the York Region Media Group’s Big 50 initiative. The goal of the project is to have more than 50 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot this year.

An all-candidates event in Memorial Park kicks things off Sept. 13.

“Buy a vote with a hot dog,” said Mayor Wayne Emmerson during Tuesday afternoon’s council meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the Links panel, Sun-Tribune Editor Jim Mason requested council waive town facility rental fees for the pre-election meetings. The fees could not be waived, but, instead, council approved paying through the town’s grants and donations fund.

Following the all-candidates event in the park, six ward-by-ward debates, one a week, will be held for councillor candidates.

“I see what you’re asking. You must want change,” Mr. Emmerson said.

The Big 50 initiative, which is regionwide, is not about change, but informing residents of the local issues and encouraging them to vote, Mr. Mason explained.

“We just want people involved,” he said.

“You only get people out when you make a change,” Mr. Emmerson said.

The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library and chamber of commerce will also host pre-election candidate meetings.