Gravenhurst cottagers host all-candidates’ meeting Thursday Aug. 30
GRAVENHURST — Election fever is heating up ahead of the more tradional Labour Day kickoff, thanks to cottagers who can’t wait to hear and see the candidates in action live.
The Muskoka Lakes Association and 12 Gravenhurst area lake associations are among the first groups sponsoring an all-candidates meeting for those running for municipal office in the Oct. 22 election.
They traditionally make up a report on each candidate’s performance and offer it for their members to read and consider.
They don’t make recommendations, however the reports are not verbatim reporting on exactly what was said, and are often open to interpretation and biases by the writers of the report
.
The meeting will be held on Thursday Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Terry Fox Auditorium, Centennial Centre, Gravenhurst.
All of the 13 candidates running for office in Gravenhurst have indicated they will participate.
Muskoka Lakes Association director Jim Davis says in a release that: “Our members have asked us to sponsor this meeting in order that they could hear directly from the candidates before the summer season is over.
“Our meeting is not intended to replace the All Candidates Meeting held by the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, but many seasonal residents find it difficult to attend their meeting held mid-week in October.
“We have consulted with the chamber in order to take advantage of their expertise and experience in running all candidates meetings, and we will use a similar format for our meeting.”
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. with a 30-minute opportunity to speak to the candidates, one on one, prior to the official start of the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
A moderator will ask questions of the candidates from a list submitted by members of the lake associations sponsoring the meeting.
Every candidate will be given an opportunity to answer each question.
All members of the public are welcome.
Davis added, “All candidates meetings are an excellent way to help voters decide which candidates are most aligned with their values and deserving of their vote.”
Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce plans two meetings next month, one for mayoral and district runners; and a second for ward candidates.
Other municipalities and organizations present similar opportunities for voters to see and consider.
The Gravenhurst all-candidates meeting Aug. 30 is sponsored by:
Muskoka Lakes Associaton
Kahshe Lake Rate Payers’ Association
Loon & Turtle Lake Cottage Association
Muskoka Bay Property Owner’s Association
Morrison Lake Ratepayer Association
Pine Lake Ratepayers Association
South Muskoka Lake Community Association
Sparrow Lake Association
Muldrew Lakes Cottagers’ Association
The Gull & Silver Lakes Residents’ Association
Lakeshore Drive Community Association
Sunny Lake Cottagers & Ratepayers Association
Sunset Bay Cottage Association
Muskoka Lakes Association
Friends of Muskoka
