(The OSDIA's all candidates' meeting filmed by Richard Thomas Communications in Owen Sound on Wednesday, October 15, 2014)

"Growing a vibrant, safe and fun downtown" is the vision statement of the Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area.

Candidates at the OSDIA's all candidates' meeting were all keen to prove that they could deliver on that vision.

DIA Chair Maryann Thomas acknowledged that running for municipal office might take as much courage as operating a small business in Owen Sound as she opened the meeting at the Harmony Centre, the former Knox Church which has been transformed into a multi-use community space. Although the evening's formal questions were all submitted by DIA members, the public was invited to attend and to engage one-on-one with the candidates both before and after the meeting.

After one-minute introductory statements, the candidates were warmed up with the same yes/no question - "Do you agree that snow removal in downtown must be given higher priority?" After a "yes" from all twenty-two candidates present, Thomas announced that DIA members could see that whomever was elected had now publicly committed to assuring there would no repeat of last winter's snow situation.

The candidates were then divided into groups to answer specific questions. Mayoral candidates were asked about the future of city hall, presumably in response to comments on the poor condition of the building at the Chamber debate, and Ian Boddy's suggestion that the county and city facilities be combined. There were assurances this time that the building would stay in place in the heart of the city, but perhaps county offices could join them there.

Incumbents were joined in one group and asked to defend their own records on supporting downtown Owen Sound. They referred to service on the DIA, work on the official plan and "river precinct" plan, new downtown housing development and commitment to transit.

New candidates were divided to into two groups. The one asked about safety and security issues like "loitering, language, bikes and skateboards" seemed to be split on the remedies - from Bryan O'Leary who proposed surveillance cameras and more prosecutions to Francesca Dobbyn and Richard Thomas who favoured engaging the people who are perceived to be the problem and getting buy-in to whatever the community solutions might be. On the subject of empty storefronts, ideas ranged from short term leases for artists to keep windows attractive to graduated tax breaks that are not permitted under the Ontario Municipal Act.

Deputy mayoral candidates clearly parted company on the subject of Owen Sound's relationship with its neighbouring municipalities. David Adair said that the neighours generally cooperated when they felt it was in their interests for the sake of efficiencies or cost-reduction, while Arlene Wright stated that the adjacent municipalities "did not get along".

One last yes/no question - the inevitable "should the cost of complimentary customer parking be borne by the downtown merchants?" - divided the candidates exclusively by experience. All the newcomers said "no"; all the incumbents and Ruth Lovell said "yes", some adding "absolutely".

Closing remarks included commitments to growth of a tax base that could support a strong downtown, the harbour, community building, jobs, taxes, the role of municipal government, leadership and experience, hard work and listening to residents. No clear victors emerged, but as in the Chamber debate, 27 year old Travis Dodd received some of the strongest audience response to his message of building a city for his future children.

John and Jacob Angell, grade nine students at St. Mary's High School who live within the DIA's boundaries, arrived with at least one clear favourite. "Peter Lemon saved our buses", agreed both brothers who rely on public transit on a daily basis. They felt it was important for the city to support local, mom and pop businesses "like the Bean Cellar", to keep a vibrant downtown. Would Owen Sound be a city they could see themselves returning to after post-secondary school? "If there is work" they both replied, saying they aspired to be teachers. "We will need to have jobs because the city will need us to pay taxes", said Jacob, picking up perfectly on the chorus of the evening.

Anne Finlay-Stewart is Community Editor of Owensoundhub.org. She can be reached at [email protected].