An all-candidates’ meeting is coming to Cloverdale.
The Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce will host a Q&A with local-area candidates at the Clova Theatre Oct. 7.
Scott Wheatley, the Chamber’s executive director, urged voters in the Cloverdale region to come out and hear what political hopefuls have to say in the three Cloverdale-area ridings: Surrey-Cloverdale, Surrey South, and Surrey-Serpentine River. (Surrey-Serpentine River is a new riding carved from parts of Surrey-Cloverdale, Surrey-Panorama, and Surrey-Fleetwood.)
“Come out and meet the candidates for the ridings in the upcoming election,” Wheatley urged voters.
Wheatley noted as of Sept. 12, he has booked seven candidates for the meeting. He booked Surrey South candidates Haroon Ghaffar (NDP) and Brent Chapman (Conservative). He booked Surrey-Serpentine River candidates Baltej Dhillon (NDP) and Linda Hepner (Conservative). He booked Surrey-Cloverdale candidates Mike Starchuk (NDP), Elenore Sturko (Conservative), and Pat McCutcheon (Greens). He is still trying to catch up with Judy Meilleur (Freedom Party of BC), as she is the fourth candidate running in Surrey-Cloverdale.
Wheatley said while the public is invited to attend, they will not be allowed to ask questions at the event. He said questions need to be pre-submitted and they will be asked by the moderator, Rebecca Smith, the Chamber’s vice-president.
“Like all of our candidates' meetings, it isn't an open debate but a Q&A,” noted Wheatley. He added there is a slim chance that some open mic questions may be allowed, if time permits at the end of the formal panel.
Wheatley said the point of the meeting is to focus on what the candidates think should be done regarding issues facing Cloverdalians and Surreyites.
If anyone wants to submit a question ahead of time, they can email Wheatley via info@cloverdalechamber.ca by Oct. 3.
Wheatley said everyone must register to attend, as seats in the Clova Theatre will be limited. He noted walks in would be permitted, but only if there was available seating.
The Clova Theatre is located at 5732 176th Street in Cloverdale. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The all-candidates meeting will run from 7 - 8:15 p.m.
To register visit cloverdalechamber.ca and click on events.
