Posts with the Candidate Forum tag

Barris Beat

Moderator confidential

Written by Ted Barris on . Leave a comment
Full house at Cosmos candidates debate – minus one.

An acquaintance from Aurora contacted me the other day. He explained that one of the local riding associations planned a question-and-answer session with political candidates contesting in the current federal election. He knew that the Uxbridge Cosmos had just staged a forum.

“I know that the golden rule of moderating is try to be invisible,” he said. “But do you have any tips for me?”

“I think you’ve got it,” I answered. “Be firm. Be fair. But at the same time, as much as possible, stay out of the way.” (more…)

Barris Beat

The politics where you live

Written by Ted Barris on . Leave a comment
When most of this clump of black walnut trees came down, we faced a massive clean-up.
When most of this clump of black walnut trees came down, we faced a massive clean-up.

When it happened, I figured maybe the solution was close by. I wasn’t entirely certain they could or would pitch in, but I thought I’d try to find out. I’d never really gone to them for help before, but I thought this time I would. So, I sat down and wrote a letter to township council.

“The recent rain and wind storm,” I wrote, “battered the township. And among the victims were some of our old-growth trees.”

I went on to request some assistance. (more…)