Incumbent, Brighton Mayor Mark Walas
Brighton Mayoral candidate Brian Ostrander
Brighton Deputy Mayor hopeful Laura Vink
Brighton Deputy Mayor candidate Tom Rittwage
It was standing room only at the King Edward Park Community Centre last night (Thursday, Aug. 23), with close to 250 interested citizens eager to hear what the council candidates had to say.
Each candidate had three minutes to introduce themselves and pitch their campaign, with no questions asked, although there was time afterward for members of the public to approach council hopefuls with questions.
Last night’s format was simply an introduction, with a more formal debate scheduled for October 4, shortly after the mail-in ballots go out.
Attending the event were mayoral candidates Mark Walas and Brian Ostrander, deputy mayoral candidates Laura Vink and Tom Rittwage, and council candidates Ron Anderson, Steve Baker, Mark Bateman, Natasha Huizinga, Doug LeBlanc, John Martinello, Emily Rowley, Vic Schukov, Mary Tadman, and Jeff Wheeldon. Candidate Tom Walsh recently withdrew from the election.
Brighton-Cramahe Chamber of Commerce president Kristen Fletcher said there will be pre-selected questions chosen by the Chamber election committee that will highlight key issues to new council.
Due to the large turnout, Fletcher says they will be looking for a larger venue for the October 4 debate.
