By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
Five of the six candidates running in Tuesday’s byelection did their best to convince, or sway, voters in a packed room on Thursday night that they would be the best MLA for Yarmouth.
Whether by the end of the evening they were successful in maintaining and gaining votes – or conversely whether they lost votes to other candidates – won’t be known for certain until the votes are counted when the polls close on June 22.
Still, people left the debate with their own feelings of who they thought were the winners and losers, the strong and the weak, the relevant and irrelevant.
What was certain at the June 17 debate was this byelection – made necessary by the February resignation of former MLA Richard Hurlburt – has generated a lot of interest. The conference room at the Grand Hotel that was set up for the debate was overflowing with people – so much so that hotel staff had to open the divider wall and set up more seating in a second conference room. And still, people were standing in doorways and along the walls to take in the event.
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The Tri-County Women’s Centre and the Yarmouth Area Chamber of Commerce organized the debate, in which members of the public could pose questions to the candidates. Taking part in the debate were (in their speaking order at the start of the debate) John Deveau of the NDP, Jonathan Dean of the Atlantica Party, independent candidate Belle Hatfield, Zach Churchill of the Liberals and John Percy of the Green Party.
Charles Crosby of the Progressive Conservative sent his regrets that he could not attend the debate. Before the date for the debate was set he had committed himself to a series of community meet and greet sessions that had been publically advertised. Crosby said he would not go back on that commitment and therefore went to his public session that was taking place at a hall in Pleasant Valley. Many people felt the decision not to have a presence at the debate was a mistake since it didn’t give people at the two-hour session a chance to hear Crosby’s responses to the same questions and issues that were put to the other candidates.
As they digested what other candidates were saying, they couldn’t do the same with Crosby.
During the debate an obvious issue that came up was the lack of ferry service in Yarmouth. This and other issues – like the watershed problems in Carleton and the fact Yarmouth is without a regional development authority – prompted John Cunningham to ask the candidates what they will do “the minute” they get to Halifax to represent the area. He said this area cannot afford the luxury of the next MLA easing into the position.
Bernie Melanson wanted to know what the candidates, as an MLA, would do ensure transportation links exist so that this area can maintain long-term doctors and not see doctors training in an area and then leave a few years later.
Other questions from the floor sought the candidates’ views on issues like subsidizing a ferry service and ensuring funding for community projects and services and having the provincial government cover the drug Lucentis, a treatment for people who suffer from macular degeneration.
I could not make it to the debate but my mind was made up a while ago - I will be voting for Mr. Dean & OUR Atlantica Party. I can't help but laugh at people who say we need a change & then promote one of the 3 establishment party candidates. That's not change - just more of the same!