With the municipal election drawing closer, candidates fielded question after question at a forum Sunday sponsored by Smart Growth B.C.

More than 140 people crowded into the Seniors Activity Centre Br. 109 Nov. 9 to hear candidates. Facilitator Kathleen Porter noted incumbent councillor Debbie Cannon was unable to attend.

Committee for a Strong and Sustainable Salmon Arm director Bill Remphrey said the forum was intended to see the extent that candidates understand and will implement Smart Growth principles if elected.

Smart Growth B.C. is a provincial non-governmental organization that promotes fiscally, socially and environmentally responsible land use, working toward such goals as avoiding urban sprawl, minimizing the use of vehicles, maintaining a productive agricultural land base and promoting affordable housing.

Candidates were asked if they would support the Smart Growth B.C. work that has been started in Salmon Arm, and how they would involve citizens in development decisions.

First in the order of speakers, mayoralty candidate Charles Nash answered yes, and said he has always included Smart Growth principles in his planning work during the last eight years.

“It’s just common sense.”

Nash commented that questionnaires, flyers and mailouts could all be used to engage citizens. He said his idea for a committee of elders could also include young people. Nash noted Facebook and the Internet could be used to involve the public.

Council incumbent Kevin Flynn answered yes, and said Smart Growth principles are basic ones that urban planners receive during their education. He said staff and council have done a good job of following those common-sense principles.

Flynn said education is the number- one priority in order to involve the public in decisions involving development.

“Not all the community understands it, as we see when council is trying to implement Smart Growth.”

Council candidate Jeff Galbraith answered yes. He said involving citizens will require open discussion, open sessions and open debates. Galbraith pointed out there has been great opportunity over the last few weeks for citizens to share their concerns for the future of the city.

“In order to have effective government, you have to have open government.”

Council candidate Wendy Collins answered yes.

“Public consultation is fundamental, in my view, to be effective as a councillor.”

Collins pointed out that the consultation process is not always effective. She used the SmartCentres development hearings as an example, and said the vast majority of speakers were opposed, yet half of council and the mayor voted for the development. Collins added the Internet is another tool for effective consultation, and that tool should be made available for people without Internet access.

Council candidate Tim Lavery answered yes. He said to involve the public, citizens must be able to contribute their ideas in positive ways, not just in opposition.

“We can’t just espouse these things, we need to get involved and stay involved.”

Lavery said the city needs to provide reliable and quick access to information, and a renewed official community plan would also provide structure for community input.

Council candidate Lynn Cameron answered yes. She said to make the development process available to the public, she would like to see a seasonal town meeting every three or four months. Cameron pointed out such a meeting could occur not just on a particular heated issue, but be a regular event where councillors could get to know people and listen to them.

“We do have city meetings, but sometimes people can’t get to them.”

Council incumbent Alan Harrison answered that councillors have to prioritize the 10 Smart Growth principles, and pointed out if council tried to apply all 10 to every development, they would not accomplish anything.

“Understanding those principles and how to apply them is very important.”

Harrison said the public becomes involved when there is controversy, and noted that many people participating in recent public hearings and forums have mentioned this was the first time they had been engaged in public affairs.

“If we want people to provide input, they have to believe what they say is respected and heard.”

Mayoral candidate Marg Kentel answered she has always supported Smart Growth, and the principles are present in the OCP.

She said members of the public who want to become involved should come to city council meetings.

“We never get people come to get information or to listen unless the neighborhood is upset about something.”

Kentel noted on an issue such as SmartCentres, a referendum would allow people to have a voice in it.

Mayoral incumbent Marty Bootsma answered that he still supports Smart Growth. Bootsma commented that the citizenry is already engaged, pointing to the wide array of committees on subjects from the airport to social and cultural issues. He pointed out all are open to the public, but sometimes there is not enough interest in a committee.

“Education is the key.”

Council candidate Ian Wickett answered yes. He said during the creation of the OCP in the early 1990s, there were a series of workshops and open houses on various aspects of the process.

“We got significant turnout and engagement.”

Wickett said all residents should be involved in sharing the vision for the community; then when decisions are taken, people understand the reasons for them and agree with them.

Council candidate Ken Jamieson answered yes. He noted principles are principles, not a rigid set of commandments we must follow. Jamieson said as a teacher, he is inclusionary.

“Everyone with an opinion in this town deserves to be heard.”

He said he looks at Smart Growth as a handbook of best practices.

Mayoral candidate Nancy Cooper answered yes, and pointed out there are a lot of Smart Growth principles for candidates to look at and internalize. She said there is a need to recognize that sometimes people will want to build outside the urban area, or want something a little bit different. Cooper said involving the public could be accomplished through town hall meetings. She noted such meetings could be brought out to Canoe, Hillcrest and Gleneden.

“It’s good to take it out to the people.”

Council incumbent Ivan Idzan answered yes. He agreed public engagement starts with a controversy. Idzan noted there are people upset that SmartCentres isn’t coming, and asked how those people could be accommodated. He said when controversy has the whole town paying attention, you ask them to keep paying attention.

“To ask for public participation is to make a commitment to public participation.”

Idzan added that Smart Growth is really about communication and participation, with each other and to each other.

Council incumbent Chad Eliason answered that not only does he support Smart Growth, he enacts those principles. Eliason noted offering free transit for young people in summer built ridership from nine per cent to more than 30 per cent for young people.

“Get young people involved, and that’s how you do it.”

Eliason said he also brought forward a motion on coach houses as secondary residences, to increase the tax base and residency on existing properties.

“It wasn’t successful, but it is a start.”

Candidates responded to other questions on many topics including mixed land use, preserving green spaces, encouraging public transit use, protecting agricultural land, reducing urban sprawl and reducing crime in the city.