The Debates Begin – Almost

The Cambridge Times reports that an all-candidates meeting/debate is being hosted by the Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries, the YWCA Cambridge and the Cambridge Network of Neighbourhoods Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Islamic Centre of Cambridge.

This should prove to be a interesting evening because all candidates for city council, mayor and regional council have been invited to attend the meeting. That means that up to thirty candidates could be on stage trying to make their case to voters!

You will note that a class of candidates have not been included; candidates for school board trustee have not been invited. The theme for the debate is poverty and the organizers may have felt that this issue fell outside the purview of school board trustees. I disagree – I think the school board has an important role to play not only in eradicating poverty in the long term but mitigating its effects in the short term.

Update (Aug 3, 2010): The Cambridge Times now reports that the same groups are hosting a similar debate for North Dumfries on October 5th. School Board Trustee candidates are similarly absent from the invite list.

However, given the mayhem that is likely to ensue at this (almost) all-candidates debate, it is probably just as well that I will be in the audience rather than on stage.

Having said that, I would like to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to make my case to the citizens of Cambridge and I need your help to do it!

What you can do:

• Organize a Debate: invite trustee candidates (from both boards) to make their case to members your community group (Rotary, Kin, Optimist, BIA, Chamber, etc)
• Volunteer to be a “Neighbourhood Ambassador”: Take me for a stroll around your neighbourhood to meet and greet your neighbours
• Write a Letter: see something on the blog you agree with? Send in a note to the Times saying so!
• Buy a Button (or ten): visit the merchandise page and pick up some items for yourself and your friends and family!
• Make a Donation: $25 or $250 or anything in between. Every little bit helps to ensure that I can be as visible as possible in the fall

To get in touch with me about any of these ways you can help, head over to the Contact page and drop me a line!