WOODLANDS COUNTY - Organizations wanting to host a political forum for the upcoming municipal election will no longer be able to count on Woodlands County to help offset the costs.
Woodlands County councillors unanimously adopted the Funding Political Forum Policy during their Aug. 13 meeting.
The policy essentially replaced the municipality's previous policy (Policy 1014), approved in March 2012, which set the parameters under which the municipality provided limited financial support of up to $1,000 to organizations hosting political forums during municipal elections or by-elections.
Legislative and communications coordinator Tracy Mindus said the reason administration decided to bring the policy for council's consideration is the municipality could potentially be perceived as having a bias.
It should be noted that Mindus, in addition to being the legislative and communications coordinator, also serves as the municipality's returning officer.
Chief administrative officer Matthew Ferris, although the policy has been in place for the better part of 13 years, to his knowledge, no organization has ever taken advantage of the funding.
"The [Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce] does host a 'Meet your Candidate' forum, but has never received or inquired about the potential of receiving any funding. At least not in the last five years," he said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
