Last night I attended the all (councillor) candidates forum at the Lakeside hosted by the Okanagan news group. I can honestly say that it was the most bizarre forum I have ever attended.
The majority of questions asked by the so-called reporters and/or staff of the Herald were disgusting, abusive and at the level of an attempted smear campaign.
It was clear early on the questions were designed to embarrass or “catch out” some of the candidates. Some nugget that was uncovered, and then the leading questions were put to the candidate. It was the most inappropriate and quite frankly sickening forum.
The questions were not designed to have the candidates answer thought out questions that were affecting us as citizens and to learn more about each candidates’ stance. I went to the forum so I could make an informed vote on Oct. 20 as were many of the other almost five hundred attendees.
The laughter and gasps at the questions should have alerted the questioners to change their tack, but that did not happen.
They continued asking questions, which is some cases, were not even accurate.
When they could not lead the candidate to answer the question in a way that put them on the spot, they actually debated with the candidates, misquoted, interrupted and took the cheapest shots I have ever witnessed. It was negative and offensive.
I took time out after working all day to go to a forum that was supposed to help me make decisions about where my would votes would go.
Instead, I found myself feeling extremely uncomfortable and at times angry with the treatment I witnessed of several of the candidates last night. I know this is the age of trumpyism, but we are not in the U.S.
The behaviour last night did nothing to allow the people attending to hear relevant questions about our community and to give the candidates the opportunity to tell how they will perform on council. I would note that not all the candidates were subjected to this treatment, so it was clear, in my opinion, who the “hosts” were supporting.
Even Mr. Miller’s (James Miller, Penticton Herald valley editor) attempts at jokes were negative and nasty. Shame on him and the people who asked the questions.
I will never attend another forum that is sponsored by this group and why I don’t have a subscription to their paper. They owe the candidates an apology.
Barb Burke, Penticton