Westlake Gladstone candidates take part in Plumas meet & greet
- Details
- Published on Thursday, October 9, 2014
By Eoin Devereux
The Neepawa Banner
Some of the most interesting, and at times spirited conversations about politics usually take place over a cup of coffee or a donut. In Plumas, one business decided to take the concept a step further.
Michael Kraut, the owner and operator of the Plumas Inn, invited all the candidates running in Rural Municipality of Westlake Gladstone to his establishment on Monday, Oct. 6. His intent was to allow local voters a chance to meet with them in an informal setting and chat about what they believe are the most pressing issues within the R.M.
Kraut said he wanted people to have a chance to talk with the candidates on a more personal level than is usually done during the campaign.
“The [Plumas] Inn is a gathering place, so we thought with the new amalgamation of the R.M.’s and the creation of the new municipality, Westlake Gladstone, this would be an opportunity for everyone to get together and talk about the issues in a relaxed way,” said Kraut. “A more formal event was put together in Gladstone by the Chamber [of Commerce] there about a week ago or so. That was great but this is more informal. Rather than have it in a formal setting, where it’s a standard prepared question and answer and there’s no back and forth, here one of the residents can directly ask a candidate a question on the spot and get the answer direct from the source. Informal but with a chance to talk one-on-one.”
A large contingent of candidates attended the meet and greet, including David Single and Eileen Clarke, the two people vying for head of council. Single, who has served as the Reeve for the R.M. of Westbourne said the concept was interesting.
“Talking one on one with people, it’s really the only way you get a good opportunity to get a sense of what are the real issues on their mind?” said Single. “This has been a chance to meet with new people or connect with others we’ve already known and learn what’s on their minds and what they want to see happen within the new R.M.”
Eileen Clarke entered the race as the Mayor of Gladstone and noted the event was a great opportunity to meet with voters who may be unaware of her past accomplishments.
“They definitely want to meet the candidates, because there are candidates in the ward that they’ve actually never met before. Myself, I’m familiar with the area. Having grown up in this area but there are new people who live here too, so they don’t necessarily know me as well,” said Clarke. “It’s a great opportunity. I think if we want to represent these people, they need to know us. They need to know what we are all about and what we stand for. So, this has been a great opportunity for that.”
The evening also served as a fundraiser for the Plumas Elementary Parent Advisory Committee. Kraut said any donations given for the donuts or coffee would go towards a local lunch program.
