I was not able to attend the second debate as it was earlier than the Charleswood United Church gathering a week prior.
The good news is that the events was taped by the organizers. I am watching it now and offering commentary. The video can be found here. Kudos to the people who went to the trouble to do this.
It was fantastic to have all seven candidates in attendance. The meeting was moderated by CJOB host Geoff Currier which explained the earlier debate time as he had to work at the station at 9. There were fewer people than at the earlier debate but the video should help increase that number who will see it.
Each candidate got to do an intro before questioning. Timothy Martin told the audience about being a lifetime member of the community, his job as a lawyer, his family and his interest in running which he said included improving traffic flow on Kenaston Boulevard.
Jarret Hannah told the audience he was a small business owner specializing in marketing. He also said he had a young family and was involved in community and charity work and believed it was useful experience to have to city council.
Livio Ciarelli said he was the senior candidate and the only one to challenge Bill Clement in the last election. He said he wasn't going to put up signs or use other people's money in the election. He indicated he was going to go to every door in ward and that he got candidates to commit to funding the Harte Trail. He believes Charleswood is shortchanged in the city. He ran out of time to finish that thought.
Wendy Lenton said he was running as an independent and that she was business woman specializing in traffic systems at an international level. She said she is a longtime resident. The key issues she are crime, roads and infrastructure and community development. She said she would be a full time candidate.
Paula Haxixbeck said the top priorities are public safety, community centres and lastly infrastructure. She said she has support from two unions and has their endorsements, the police and firefighters. She is a business consultant and lectures at the University of Manitoba and Canadian Mennonite University. She is president of Tuxedo Community Centre and has a young family. She said he is running because she is passionate about her community.
Steve Szego said that he have lived in the community for 40 years and has a young family. He believes in transparency and accountability. Planning and budgeting will be important, he says and he wants to be able to be able to help guide the ward as its representative.
Dashi Zargani said he has heard from the community and that they have said they want roads and sewers and drainage improved. He also mentioned that people want green spaces protected. He believes that the high level of taxation is not reflected in the ward and it could do better. He ran out of time to elaborate.
Continued later on...
