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All-candidate forums kick off municipal elections race

The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce has initiated plans for candidate forums in Montrose, Trail, Warfield and Fruitvale.

The candidates haven’t all stepped forward yet but plans are already in the works for a series of forums leading up to the Nov. 15 municipal elections.

The Trail and District Chamber of Commerce has initiated plans for candidate forums in Montrose, Trail, Warfield and Fruitvale.

Norm Casler, executive director of the chamber, said although the forum dates and locations have been set, forums in each community will also depend on who enters the field. If one community has no candidates vying for positions and the incumbents are acclaimed, then no forum will be held.

So far the dates for the forums are set for Oct. 28 at the Montrose Hall, Oct. 30 at the Cominco Gym in Trail, Nov. 3 at the Warfield Community Hall and Nov. 4 at the Fruitvale Memorial Hall.

All forums will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Casler is recruiting a media panel to offer up questions but the format will also encourage questions from the public through an open mic segment. Each candidate will be offered the opportunity for opening and closing remarks.

The nomination period for councils and the school board trustees opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 30, and ends Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.

So far only a handful of candidates have openly expressed their intentions.

In Trail, two mayoral candidates, Mike Martin and Doug Jones, have announced their intent to run; Trail councillor Robert Cacchioni has stated he will seek re-election; and first-time candidate, Lisa Pasin, announced she’s running for a seat on council.

In the Beaver Valley, Montrose Mayor Joe Danchuk confirmed he’s seeking a second term and Fruitvale’s Mayor Patricia Cecchini said previously that she would seek re-election.