Proposed forum takes shape

Posted by on 5 November 2009 | 0 Comments

The Daily Townsman - November 5, 2009

The East Hill boundary public forum still appears on track for Nov. 10, but contrary to what was originally reported, the forum is being sponsored by the Kootenay New Advertiser and moderated by Tanya Laing Gahr of Koocanusa Publications Inc.

Darcy Wiebe, publisher of the Kootenay News Advertiser, said Wednesday his publication is sponsoring the forum, but that's the extent of its involvement.

"Obviously a forum needed to happen because there's a lot of misinformation out there and hopefully this will straighten it out." But Wiebe said his paper has never expressed an editorial position on the East Hill issue and doesn't intend to. "Obviously you have to be down the middle on something like this."

The forum will take place in the Heritage Inn Ballroom next Tuesday, four days before the big vote. The format for the forum is straight forward except for the fact that a total of 12 people will be on stage, six for each side.

The respective delegations must submit their list of speakers two days before the forum and the speakers' list will be made available to both sides the same day. A coin toss will decide who speaks first.

The forum will begin with a six-minute opening statement by each delegation with a maximum of three people allowed to speak from each side. This will be followed by an hour long Q and A with the audience.

Questions can be asked verbally or submitted in written form to be asked by the moderator. Questions must be succinct and clearly stated and drawn out statements will not be tolerated. Questions will be answered by the delegation they are directed to, rebutted by the opposition and returned to the original delegation for a final statement.

Delegates will be respectful of all speakers. Interruptions, heckling and distracting behaviour will not be tolerated and could result in removal of the audience member at the discretion of the moderator.

The forum will close with a six-minute statement by both delegations and the order of the closing statements will be the reverse of the opening.