Herald hosting extra events

The Penticton Herald is staging a candidates’ trade show and debate on Tuesday, Oct. 9 — one day before advance voting begins — at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

Many of the Penticton candidates for mayor, city council and school board will be on hand, each with a table, from 4 - 7 p.m. where voters can visit with them on an individual one-on-one basis.

The event is free to the public, but participating candidates are being charged a nominal fee in order to cover the expenses involved with staging the event.

Organizer James Miller said this format has not been done before in Penticton, but has worked well in many other centres, including Kelowna.

At the conclusion of Thursday’s council forum, also organized by The Herald, Miller decided to organize this event due to the large number of candidates seeking a spot on city council.

“As hard as we tried by including yes-or-no questions, with 23 people on the stage we were able to offer only four minutes of microphone time to each candidate,” Miller said of the two hour, 45 minute forum. “There were some definitive moments and I think it gave people a better idea of who the candidates are.”

He noted that many people attend candidate forums with the hopes of asking questions.

“This will allow everyone the opportunity to ask the candidates of their choice whatever questions they want,” he said.

At 7:30 p.m., a special debate will be held, also at the Lakeside. Additional details on this portion of the trade show will be announced later this week.