The Niagara-on-the-Lake Residents’ Association spent weeks putting election candidates in the hot seat. But when it comes to telling voters who deserves a seat at the table, the group is staying out of it.
The association’s board has voted against endorsing candidates in the Oct. 26 municipal election, deciding that backing a preferred group of hopefuls would go against its commitment to remain neutral.
The decision follows three candidate forums held Sept. 14, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2, where those running for lord mayor and council faced questions drawn from concerns raised by residents. The association organized and hosted these forums.
In a response to The Lake Report, association administrator Ron Simkus said the group had considered endorsing candidates but ultimately decided against it.
The association had previously told residents it would seek out qualified candidates, he said, but that was never a promise to endorse them.
“To stay true to our mandate of fairness and neutrality, two of our directors actually stepped off the board to pursue campaigns they supported personally while this election period took place,” Simkus said.
With advance voting underway, he said, announcing a preferred slate now could also confuse members who have already cast their ballots.
Instead of picking favourites, the association says it has given residents the information to make up their own minds.
Its three forums featured questions developed from a resident survey conducted in May. A committee of volunteers, rather than the board, turned those concerns into questions for candidates.
The events have also attracted considerable attention online.
Simkus said the three forum videos have drawn roughly 3,500 views combined online.
“We feel our website and YouTube carry an information resource which is totally fair, unambiguous and as clear as possible to assist voters in making their choices of candidates,” he said.
And while the election will decide who takes a seat at the council table, the association says its work won’t depend on who wins.
“The (Niagara-on-the-Lake Residents’ Association) is committed to working diligently with town staff and council and not just with individuals we endorse or chose to work with.”
