By Taylor MacPherson

Candidates bruised after mayoral debate turns personal

Oct 13, 2016 | 2:00 PM

It can be safely said, there are some hard feelings between Prince Albert’s mayoral candidates after last night’s debate.

Josh Morrow was accused of taking shots below the belt, particularly personal jabs directed at Greg Dionne and Martin Ring. These comments drew criticism from both men.

Councillor Martin Ring said the debate gave insight into Morrow’s character.

“Me and Mr. Morrow, I guess it has gotten to the point where there is a bit of animosity,” Ring told paNOW. “He’s made some comments to me personally, he’s made some comments to me through social media, and I think his true colours came out last night.”

Ring said his previous campaigns were always issue-focused and respectful, and he has never seen a campaign quite like this one.

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At the debate, the 33-year-old Morrow commented on Ring’s age several times.

“I am only 53-years-old,” Ring said. “Yes, I retired early, but it is what it is.”

Morrow told paNOW he does not think Ring is too old to run, but has concerns about his opponent’s priorities.

“We don’t need a mayor that’s going to get side-tracked at the golf course,” Morrow said. “I’ve been in council meetings where they had to re-adjust [the agenda] because of his golf schedule, so that’s a huge concern of mine.”

Defending his debate tactics, Morrow said he was tired of being the only candidate under scrutiny.

“A personal can only sit back for so long, and I just don’t know that it’s fair for one candidate to be singled out and the other candidates not to be exposed,” Morrow said.

Morrow said he did not believe personal attacks were an effective way to get ahead, but added he needed to stand up for himself when allegations are made against him.

Incumbent Greg Dionne said he was shocked by Morrow’s conduct at the debate, and called his opponent “disrespectful” and “a bully.”

“I’ve never ever seen a campaign like this, where it’s so negative,” Dionne said. “Maybe the problem is we’re watching too much American TV.”

Morrow raised the issue of Dionne’s 1998 bankruptcy during his closing statement, and said Dionne may have made attempts to cover up his financial history.

“People don’t care what happened 25 years ago,” Dionne said, adding he wouldn’t address the issue directly.

For him, the best strategy for dealing with attacks is to take the high road.

“I’m going to stay focused on my own campaign,” he said.

Conrad Burns was the only candidate to avoid personal comments entirely, and stuck to the issues all night.

“I don’t go out of my way to try to hurt people,” Burns said, noting his unsuccessful 2012 bid for city council was a respectful campaign.

“It’s hard, sometimes, to see the mudslinging,” he said. “Prince Albert is a small community, and I like to think we’re still neighbours.”

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

@TMacPhersonNews