ARICHAT - Ten of the thirteen candidates running for the five municipal districts in Richmond County during this month's municipal elections took part in a lively, colourful candidates' forum at the Telile Community Television studios on the evening of October 5. 

Over the course of the 84-minute forum moderated by TELILE 24/7 host Adam Cooke, each candidate was given a two-minute window to answer each of the following five questions:

(1) Why are you running?

(2) What is the single most important issue in your individual district and/or for Richmond County as a whole, and how would you address it if elected?

(3) What are your ideas for two-way dialogue between Richmond Municipal Council and county residents?

(4) If elected, what would you do to encourage more cooperation at the council table and between Richmond County and its neighbouring municipal units?

(5) How do you define "leadership," and how would you put that definition in place if elected?

Candidates participating in the Telile forum including Brandon Boudreau, James Goyetche, Rod Samson and Shawn Samson from District 1; Gerry Bourque, Carolyn Clackdoyle and Michael Diggon from District 2; Melanie Sampson from District 3; Amanda Mombourquette from District 4; and Jason MacLean from District 5. 

Richmond Warden and District 3 candidate Brian Marchand, District 4 incumbent Gilbert Boucher, and District 5 candidate Brent Sampson were also involved to participate in the Telile candidates' forum but chose not to participate. 

Issues that arose over the course of the evening included affordable housing, reliable internet service, accountability among council members, economic and tourism development, road maintenance, and senior care.