Election campaigns over the past 20 years have unfortunately evolved into battles of the leaders only. With the advent of streamlined communications, those who are in the candidate ranks are generally relegated to the back rows on newscasts, and political rallies ... being instructed to smile on cue as their respective party leaders make their statements in front of cameras and microphones.
This reduced role for the rank-and-file candidates is an unfortunate circumstance of the new era of political campaigning, but there are still occasional opportunities for them to raise their heads to be heard, and in this year's campaign in the Estevan Constituency, that opportunity presents itself Thursday evening, two days after the leaders of the two major contending parties had a go at each other on the province-wide networks.
Local interviews have been gathered by the print media as the Estevan candidates addressed their favourite topics, and in some instances, were required to address some of their not-so-favourite topics.
Now as the provincial campaign hits the home stretch, Thursday's public forum will probably serve as a last chance to hear the three local candidates talk about Estevan Constituency issues first-hand while responding to questions, hopefully not in a pre-determined format.
And there are many concerns and questions out there to be addressed, whether it be by incumbent Sask. Party candidate Doreen Eagles or by challengers Sigfredo Gonzalez of the Green Party and Blair Schoenfeld carrying the NDP colours.
What we expect to hear on Thursday will be responses to local issues such as high rental rates and generally ultra high cost of living concerns. The cost of living in the Estevan area has not stabilized within the past three years and we need to know why.
There are several infrastructure items that require answers, suggestions and genuine recommendations, whether they be questions of city roads or the decades-long search for a truck bypass and the request for some serious consideration for a twinned highway along one of the province's main trade corridors.
Our citizens should be prepared to ask questions about the recent major cuts to public education systems in southeast Saskatchewan and the threat of further cuts as the province moves toward a one-size fits all property tax regime to serve all of Saskatchewan at the expense of local regions.
There needs to be discussion about the sorry state of acute health-care delivery in this region where we have been experiencing a decline in physician care and basic services such as obstetrics and elective surgeries in Estevan.
We need to hear talk about some of the gains that have been made within the agricultural sector while addressing areas that have fallen back. Flood victims need to hear from local candidates on whether or not the public will be asked to participate in the review process and how they might be assisted as they hopefully move forward with their new realities.
We need to hear about the full impact of clean coal development and its impending benefits and costs in the local communities. We need to hear candidates' stances on property, business and general taxation levels plus resource and general revenue sharing formulas.
While it may seem difficult to drum up some drama with a local campaign, there should be no shortage of subjects to keep the candidates engaged and focused on Estevan and area issues. After we've heard the responses, we should be prepared to make our decision as to whom we want to have represent us on the provincial stage for the next four years.
One thing we know for sure, we don't want status quo, not while we are facing another four years of rapid growth and pressing demands on local, regional and provincial resources.
