From fixing potholes and no door-knocking mottos, to tax freezes, fiscal responsibility and diversification, campaigns for city councillor and mayoral spots ran thick with promises.

Wednesday at North Cariboo Community Campus, the second all-candidates forum saw newbies Mike Cave, Paul Kainth, Richard Foreman, Gino De Rose, Brent Oxenbury and Laurey-Ann Roodenberg vying for spots against incumbent city Couns. Peter Couldwell, Coralee Oakes, Ron Paull and Sushil Thapar.

Mayoral candidates Nate Bello and Mary Sjostrom led opening remarks, each given four minutes to state their case.

“Right from the beginning of this campaign I presented you with a concrete platform,” Bello said.

“It is about vision and results. It offers you real direction, not just vague generalities. It demonstrates leadership.”

Bello again pointed to his campaigns four cornerstones:

• good governance,

• fundamentals,

• economic prosperity, and

• community building.

Bello also highlighted achievements, such as progress made with the Cariboo Regional District (by way of the library moving into City Hall); his senior government dealings; and his commitment to community.

Sjostrom addressed the crowd next, stating the city needed a “new kind of leadership.”

“A true leader is one that builds consensus and a strong working relationship while balancing and respecting all interests,” she said.

“The greatest strength is to lead a team to success. There is no “I” in team.”

Sjostrom said a community plan is needed to address areas in the city without sewer or water. Stating she will form a Sustainable Planning Council made up of people from all sectors of the community to develop a plan to guide the growth and development of Quesnel over the next decade.

“This group will work closely with the City Planning Department and our Economic Development Corporation, and report back to city council, which allows for pro-active, not reactive action to change and growth,” she said.

Next, each councillor hopeful was given two minutes to address the crowd.

Seeking his seventh term, Coun. Couldwell called for a “line-by-line” budget. While newcomer Kainth questioned how the city and CRD could reconcile their differences when they “couldn’t even reconcile with their own council.”

Oxenbury ran on diversity and his ability to listen, while Oakes took up tourism and fiscal responsibility.

Paull pointed to council progress, referencing the “old white elephant” (Place Saint Laurent turned City Hall) and it’s now close-to-full tenant list.

Roodenberg focused on “outside the box” thinking and community partnerships.

Question period allowed for two queries per candidate, some took a lighter tone:

“If you’re running for a seventh term as councillor why not run for mayor?” the question read for Peter Couldwell.

“No ambition to run, whatsoever,” he responded, to laughter.

Some questions focused on infrastructure:

“Do you think we need a second bridge crossing?” the question directed at Gino De Rose asked.

“It’s a want,” he said.

“And we need to prioritize. A second bridge crossing is not a top priority – not right now.”

Each candidate wrapped up with a brief closing. Some simply thanking the crowd for coming, while others took a bit harder stance.

“I’ve had it up to here with taxes,” Foreman said.

“I work like a dog for my money. I may be a little rough around the edges, but I understand it’s your money and will put the brakes to City Hall when talk turns to spending it.”

The forum was hosted by Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce.

Municipal elections are Nov. 15.