Photo: Contributed

In years past, apathy played a major role in municipal elections. 

Voter turnout across the province in the last municipal election in 2014 was only 33 per cent.

Many voters felt they either didn't have the time or the information available to make an informed decision, so just didn't vote. 

There is hope that this municipal election is different. Throughout the North Okanagan, there seems to be a great deal of public engagement.

Simone Runyan was concerned that the public might not have a chance to get to know the candidates running in Coldstream, so she and Sharron Lawrence mobilized Coldstream Candidates Meet and Greet. 

"Coldstream as a community has had a pretty great mayor and council serving us over the past few years but I still feel it is important that citizens get together and discuss the issues," said Runyan. "There are issues that need to be discussed and council and mayoral candidates need to feel that citizens are engaged and interested in the issues." 

The event was held last Saturday and was attended by 60 Coldstream residents and six candidates vying for office. 

Candidates introduced themselves and shared a few of their top concerns. 

Then the floor was opened for questions. 

Candidates were asked questions ranging from Coldstream economic development and the Greater Vernon Culture Centre referendum question to watercraft conflicts and noise levels on Kalamalka Lake and Rail Trail management.

"The civil, caring and respectful tone of the proceedings was a tribute to our great community and the high quality of the candidates running for office," said Runyan. "It worked out great in the end and hopefully the word gets out." 

Further details regarding the opinions of individual candidates can be found in the meeting minutes which will be posted on the Coldstream Community Forum on Facebook.

Coldstream candidate profiles can be found here.

Advanced polls for Coldstream mayor and council:

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Coldstream municipal hall;
Thursday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Coldstream municipal hall.

The general municipal election is Oct. 20.

Topics discussed at the Coldstream candidate meet and greet:

• Bylaw enforcement (It is currently complaint-driven. Broader enforcement could be expensive and divisive.)
• The process for public involvement in council meetings (The public can ask staff regarding the date when an topic of concern will be on the agenda if they want to apply as a delegation to speak to the issue, or they can speak for up to 2 minutes prior to a Regular Council Meeting.)
• The Pinnacle Pellet Plant (The Ministry of the Environment will present the results of their air quality monitoring to Council at 6 p.m. on October 22nd , and the public is welcome to attend.)
• The Greater Vernon Culture Centre referendum question (Most candidates were in favour of borrowing to build the new facility, though Gyula Kiss acknowledged concern about affordability.)
• Coldstream economic development (In addition to the Lavington industrial area, a few small areas are zoned for commercial development in Coldstream, but agriculture is the main driver.)
• Interface wildfire concerns (Coldstream is working with the province on fuel reduction via thinning in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.)
• Watercraft conflicts and noise levels on Kalamalka Lake (There has been discussion with Lake Country for a boat corridor along the midline of the lake, with the boaters encouraged to ‘play’ in deeper water away from residential areas and water intakes.)
• Air and water quality protection (Candidates indicated their commitment to ensuring air and water quality does not deteriorate further.)
• Rail Trail management (Some action is being already being taken to address concerns regarding visitor parking and access by emergency services.)