All the municipalities in the East Kootenay have strong ties to the rural areas outside their boundaries, and Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area A and its nearly 2,000 residents are no different.

With West Fernie and Hosmer so close to the City of Fernie, its issues are in essence Fernie issues as well.

So with that in mind, it was no surprise to see Area A candidates be including in the Nov. 2 all candidates’ forum at the Fernie Community Hall Nov. 2.

Area A incumbent Mike Sosnowski and challenger Oscar Nielsen gave rural voters a look at who they should vote for during the evening, taking turns at questions asked city candidates, and a few focusing on rural issues.

Nielsen told the audience he is a retired police officer who returned home to the Elk Valley, where he was raised.

He will bring “strong, unbiased, open leadership,” he said, adding he will communicate with his constituents.

“I do not have an agenda,” he noted, suggesting Sosnowski is working from one. “At present the leadership appears to be biased,” he said.

Sosnowski said his record speaks for itself, with two successful terms under his belt as area director.

“My agenda is getting the job completed,” he said.

The first question posed to the candidates was what they thought would be the next big challenge facing Area A.

Nielsen said it will be to “change the attitude,” and encourage residents to take part in the political process. Many Area A residents current don’t get involved, he said, because they believe “the government is going to do what they want anyways.”

Sosnowski didn’t hesitate with his answer, clearly declaring, “I know the greatest challenge – West Fernie, guaranteed – bar none. A very daunting task.”

Their second question was the same as one asked city candidates: what would they do to attract and retain small business.

Sosnowski replied that there are not many small businesses in Area A but he’s open to doing what he can to improve economic conditions, and has taken steps at the RDEK during his tenure in office.

“It’s a rural area and pretty much it should stay a rural area,” Nielsen said, suggesting big business should stay in cities.

The candidates were asked for their thoughts on the coal industry, heavy industry and coal bed methane, as were city candidates.

Coal “is going to stay here,” Nielsen said, but “methane gas is a totally different story. There is a lot to think about and there has got to be a lot of data and research done.”

Sosnowski noted he is a former forester and remains committed to that industry, as well as coal mining. As for coal bed methane, he said he supports industry “going through a rigorous environmental assessment review” and noted that he supports gas extraction from “a coal seam – where they are drilling (already) – that’s good.” But he doesn’t support independent gas extraction only concepts.

Nielsen stated on his Facebook page following the debate, “Well, I was a bit disappointed that the forum last night was mainly about the city issues and not the RDEK issues. There were several frustrated voters that didn’t get their questions answered. I have to say Mike is a good speaker and because he has been in for the past six years he knows the issues inside and out, however I still do not feel that he is representing the RDEK residents fairly and without bias. He has a conflict of interest and is not scared to intimidate residents with his power in office. I keep hearing that over and over. That needs to be stopped. I will represent everyone fairly and openly. I do not have a conflict of interest or an agenda. I will learn the issues just like mike did but I will represent the majority, not the select few.”

For more on Sosnowski, visit his Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/reelect.mike.sosnowski?v=info

For more on Nielsen, visit his Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oscar-Nielsen-for-RDEK/266754073369980

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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