The two candidates running to be the next mayor of MODL went question for question Monday night in New Germany.
Both Tom Lockwood and Carolyn Bolivar-Getson answered about a dozen questions in front of roughly 90 people.
One of the first topics had to do with amalgamation in Lunenburg County.
Lockwood says the issue has been poorly handled by the current council.
He says if a conclusion is eventually reached, it must be done by plebiscite.
“The final decision must be made by those most directly affected, you the citizens.”
Lockwood says there is no one correct answer to amalgamation but points to the municipal joint services board as a good start.
But, he says it can’t be done by selling out rural communities.
Meanwhile, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson says there are too many unknowns for her to be in favour or against amalgamation.
She says governance and human resources studies are needed along with an infrastructure assessment by all municipal units.
“The people need to decide but you need the information first. This is a very, very big topic and it’s one that you need to go into with your eyes open.”
Bolivar-Getson says you have to look at boundaries and the number of councillors while keeping community identity.
One question posed to mayoral candidates raised some eyebrows.
Bolivar-Getson and Lockwood were asked to state one quality their opponent had that better qualified them to be mayor.
Bolivar-Getson was left with very little response.
“I have not had the opportunity, I’ve worked with him on PAC but I truly don’t know the man well enough to answer that question.”
Lockwood said Bolivar-Getson had one quality he would never have.
“Carolyn is a female. On the flip side I am a male and that is I am told, important and perhaps critical to some voters.”
Lockwood explained a candidates gender should have no bearing in deciding who should be the next mayor.
Other topics discussed Monday night include challenges over the next four years, the future of the LCLC, and transparency among council.
