Dear Editor,
I received a letter from Mr. Kluin regarding his concerns over a recent invitation to a political forum hosted by a community group founded by the local councillor of the area.
I would like to say Mr. Kluin covered a lot of concerns with the political forum being hosted by the FACES group.
I guess one of the main issues I had, was with the date set for the forum. All of council knew that the Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce had set Oct 8 as the date they were hosting an open forum for all of Woodlands County and for all of the town of Whitecourt candidates. We were invited right after the nomination papers were submitted. It just seems ironic that that was the same date that FACES chose; when ALL of the candidates running for a council position, had been informed of the forum the chamber had planned on the same date.
I spoke to the Chair of the FACES group and expressed my dismay at the action of this committee considering their mandate was to have honest, open and accountable municipal government. Considering the way things transpired with the planning of this event, I didn’t see any honesty, accountability or openness from this group and I have been told by a large number of the community that my feelings are also shared by them. Considering the flyers were in the mail boxes before I even knew the event was in the works, and the forum had been in the “preliminary or so called planning stages” for three weeks, makes me wonder about the integrity of this group. Just makes me wonder if someone wanted us to commit to speak or attend the forum in Whitecourt, so we couldn’t attend the one at the Fort?
As Mr. Kluin said there will be an open forum for all the candidates running for municipal council and for all of the candidates running for school trustee positions. It will be at the Fort Assiniboine Legion and hosted by the Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce from 7-9 p.m. October 15/2013.
Thank You to the Chamber for organizing and notifying all of those involved with the political forum, and doing so, within 24 hours of the request being put forth.
I WILL be at this forum to address any questions you may have.
Respectfully, Dale McQueen
