
CORNWALL – Around 75 people gathered in the ballroom of the Best Western Parkway Inn Monday to hear the mayoral candidates in the upcoming municipal election.
The event, organized by the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce and YourTV, was a rotating question and answer session rather than an actual debate.
The four candidates never directly challenged each other on their platforms while on stage.
Incumbent Glen Grant, councillor Justin Towndale, James Leroux and Jordan Poapst took 13 questions from moderator Bill Halman on such issues as supporting small business, tourism, housing, waterfront development, the Portlands, building permits and pandemic recovery for small business.
On a question about whether city council would return to city hall from the Cornwall Civic Complex salons, the incumbent was at odds to the other three.
“Definite no,” Glen Grant said to an audible reaction from the audience. “I would not recommend it due to safety reasons alone. We sit so close in those council chambers that it’s not safe especially in the era we’re in now,” Glen Grant said.
Facing declining revenue from not renting the salons, Grant said the city would work on making it easier to move the equipment in and out of the venue.
Justin Towndale said moving back to 360 Pitt Street was long overdue.
“Straight up, yes. I believe it’s far past the time that we should return to city hall, and I’ve sent this publicly. The salons were great, they worked during the pandemic, I think that time is done,” Towndale said.
The councillor said events – even the municipal election debate – usually happen in the complex and those can’t happen now.
James Leroux and Jordan Poapst also agreed that city council should be back at city hall.
Earlier in the evening, the councillor candidates had a chance to make a two minute pitch to the audience. Of the 27 candidates, 22 were in person, one was pre-recorded and four were not at the event for various reasons.