Civic candidates to be questioned, taped on business issues

NEWS/ ELECTION 2014 — The easier it is to figure out who’s running and what the candidates stand for, the more likely it is people will vote.

 

 

That’s the theory behind a Kamloops Chamber of Commerce plan to videotape interviews with candidates in this year’s civic election and post them online for easy reference by voters.

Chamber spokesman Brant Hasanen, who sits on the B.C. chamber, told a media briefing today (Tuesday) candidates will be interviewed on three key business topics after the organization’s members are surveyed to find out what their biggest concerns are on issues within City Hall’s jurisdiction.

He said the survey will ask members about “the key issues that we believe will be important” so “once these people get elected then we know what their position is.”

In the past, the chamber has hosted all-candidates’ forums on business issues but attendance dropped off in recent elections and it sees the online video approach as being a better way to reach more voters. So, the chamber will hold two round tables with members, determine the top three business-related issues, and start interviewing candidates after nominations open at the end of September.

Tentatively, the candidates’ answers will be grouped under business topics and released at different times during the election campaign. The election is scheduled for Nov. 15.