Candidates try Trump tactics at P.A. mayoral debate

Conrad Burns, incumbent Mayor Greg Dionne, Josh Morrow and Councillor Martin Ring answered questions prepared by the chamber and solicited directly from the audience.

Morrow said he had damning information about his opponents Ring and Dionne. Ring, he claimed, wrongfully dismissed an employee who he “just didn’t like.”

Ring chastised Morrow during the debate, calling him disrespectful. Post-debate, Ring told paNOW the dismissal in question was a decision made by the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club’s board which he enacted as chair.

Morrow brought up Dionne’s bankruptcy, and implied the mayor may have changed his name from Peter to Greg in order to conceal his financial history.

Dionne did not respond to allegations during the debate, and when asked later by paNOW said “people don’t care what happened 25 years ago. They want to know about you today.”

In Dionne’s court records, he – listed as respondent – is named as Peter Gregory Dionne.

Morrow said he was the recipient of unfair attacks by the Prince Albert Daily Herald and accused the paper of bullying.

“How can we expect children not to bully,” Morrow asked, “when we’re bullying the adults?”

Ring answered Morrow’s comment saying, “I’m glad we don’t have any bullying going on.”

The Herald in a previous article alleged Morrow owned a collection of eye-sores in the West Flat, to which Ring responded, “I have never owned a derelict property in this city.”

Burns drew the biggest laugh of the evening when he said he was “thankful for not being part of the bullying.”

Morrow continued to press his opponents. He questioned Ring’s absence from a recent powwow attended by the other three candidates.

“Why does he never attend these functions?” Morrow asked. “Our First Nations and Métis community is massive, and I’d like to know why he doesn’t attend.”

“I’m sorry Mr. Morrow,” Ring said, “I missed the photo op.”

Dionne added, “You went to the powwow for an hour. That doesn’t make you a knowledgeable person. I was there 10 hours and I still have lots to learn, and I’ve been going for 25 years” earning the incumbent applause from the crowd.

Morrow said as a “fresh face” he’s more suited for the office of mayor. Ring, the 33-year-old thought, was more suited for playing games.

“There’s one place that you’ll never ever, ever find me if I’m elected as mayor, and that’s a golf course,” Morrow said.

Ring said he took offense to Morrow’s comments, saying he’s not “too old” to run the city and he would not acknowledge further “old guy” comments from his younger opponent.

“We’ll get there later,” Ring said. “I’ve got time.

“Mr. Ring,” Morrow replied, “I do have more time than you.”

The two continued the verbal jabs when Morrow argued poor project management was causing waste, and said he would oversee projects personally. Ring pointed out the mayor does not manage infrastructure work and told his opponent he was “applying for the wrong job.”

“Apparently I’m the only one who wants to take responsibility for anything here,” Morrow replied.

Morrow was not the only candidate who took the opportunity to question his opponents.

Burns alleged two Prince Albert contractors lost their bridge repair bid to an Ontario-based company by $10,000. Dionne called-out his opponent, saying no P.A. contractor had entered a bid on the project, and pressed Burns for specifics. Burns told him he would only name the contractors privately but promised to provide the information to Dionne following the forum.

Ring disagreed with Dionne’s handling of the Husky oil spill.

“As mayor,” Ring said, “I will never tell the premier of our province to stay home” to which Dionne said the Brad Wall was “coming for a photo op.”

Advance polls will be held at City Hall Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. until noon, Oct. 20 and 21 between 5 and 8 p.m. and Oct. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular polls open Oct. 26.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

@TMacPhersonNews

by Taylor MacPherson

Candidates try Trump tactics at P.A. mayoral debate

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