District 2 candidates hold 1st debate at East Preston Rec Centre

Three of the four candidates running in District 2 Preston-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore debated Tuesday night over who would best represent the constituency's 26,000 residents. 

The candidates attended the East Preston Recreation Centre in a debate planned long before the official list of candidates for the 2016 municipal elections in Halifax was released Tuesday.

The debate was held as part of the East Preston Ratepayers Community Development Association's regular meeting.

"We want to ensure that the next municipal leader that we have from this community represents us well," said Wanda Thomas Bernard, the debate's moderator.

3 of 4 candidates debate

Three of four candidates participated in the debate. 

Shelley Fashan, who works in administration with the Department of Health and Wellness and is also involved with various community programs, is running for the first time.

David Hendsbee, the incumbent, has represented the area's 26,000 residents for two decades.

Gail McQuarrie, who ran against Hendsbee in the last municipal election, is running again. Her background is in teaching.

District 2 priorities

Bernard asked the candidates why each was the best for the job and to discuss priorities for the community. She then opened the floor to the 60 people who attended the meeting to ask their own questions.

"I really don't feel that our voice in rural HRM and the Prestons was being heard as strong as it needs to be," said Fashan.

District 2 doesn't have reliable transportation, she said. There also needs to be strengthening around environmental laws, she added.

McQuarrie said there are a number of issues in the community she brought up the first time she ran for council that have yet to be addressed.

"Development in the area is certainly an issue. Transit is a large, large issue right from North Preston right to Ecum Secum, jobs and tourism are also issues that are certainly on the table," she said. 

Election is on Oct. 15

Hendsbee said he's the best choice to be councillor for the area because he loves the job and he knows the communities in the district very well.

"All 75 communities in the district, I know the issues, I know how the municipal government works and we have some challenging issues that need to be addressed and I don't think an inexperienced rookie would know what to do," he said.

Sydnee McKay, the fourth candidate wasn't at the debate.  She works at Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital as a casual registration clerk and volunteers helping people with addiction, social and mental health issues.

"I think it may be time for a change and fresh ideas. The environment is at the forefront for me, along with our children and elders. As a community, I believe it is important to help our children and seniors to grow and share their knowledge. I will do this job to the best of my ability," McKay said in an emailed statement to CBC News.

Voters go to the polls on Oct. 15.