In the “Councillors” debate watch here twelve candidates appeared on stage to tell us all what they thought about the future of Cobourg and what they want to do, if elected, for the next four years. With an opening statement and answers to about four or five questions we found out a couple of things:

• All candidates agree that the Official Plan has to be completed
• All candidates agree that more work and transparency needs to be done on the Town’s Finances
• All candidates agree on the coordination of agencies and service so help those on the streets
• All candidates agree on the need for more money from other levels of government
• Nine candidates agreed on the need to shake up the Planning Department
• Three candidates (the incumbents) agreed that the Planning Department has been shaken up
• Eleven of the twelve candidates agreed that Strong Mayor Powers should not be used
• Only one candidate had an “original idea”

Given this amount of agreement how does one distinguish one candidate over the others based on what they will be like on Council. For those Voters wanting a change they certainly didn’t hear anything last night that gives them hope. Just more of the ‘same old same old’. If that is the case the BR thinks that the voters’ choice boils down to that old and familiar sensation of ‘gut-feeling’. We are certainly not going to tell you who to vote for and we’ll leave you with you watching the tape here and making your own mind who impressed you, who did not impress you.

When we watch ACMs, and we have watched a lot in the last half Century, even participated in more than a couple, there is usually one part that sticks out. We remember one particular candidate, a working joe who had put himself on the ballot as the “Kelly’s candidate”, there is always one we will let the readers guess which one it is in this election, anyway the hot topic that year was the subject of “closed meetings” and his answer was classic – “If you don’t want closed meetings, just leave the door open!”

This year’s event there was only one original idea, there usually is one, and this year it came from Jeremy Coulis and his idea was complete and well thought out. “I want to hire a Wesleyville Industrial attraction expert!”. Thinking out of the box sometime works.

But here is the bottom line for us at the BR. Who are the best candidates to work with a re-elected Lucas Cleveland? Who was judged last night to be strong enough to resist the tempestuous outbursts of foul language and dictatorial stances that have been demonstrated this term and will certainly not be toned down one iota the next term? In fact emboldened by re-election his attitudes and styles will probably be worse in Cleveland 2.0. So who are the next five of the twelve who will stand up to it and forge a better way. Who out of the twelve appeared to have the stamina, fortitude and ability to be independent and yet work as a team for the future?

You tell us in the comments below