Fort Smith (Oct 16/06) - A prison guard, a 21-year old, a native Greek and a native Briton were amongst the mix that sat on stage at Fort Smith's candidate forum.

Thirteen candidates took turns to woo their fellow townspeople for votes, last Thursday.

Peter Martselos: Current mayor of Fort Smith. Janie Hobart: Mayoral challenger in Fort Smith.

Youth vandalism around town was the stand out issue of the evning. Specifically, what could be done to keep kids busy and out of mischief.

Marion Berls suggested security cameras around town and perhaps even a night watchman in the summer.

"We need to work with the young people," said Gordon Bush, who hails from the London area of Great Britain.

Fred Daniels seconded that idea, saying that the town did not "sink enough time into them."

"You don't learn children by putting cameras on them and putting them in jail," he said.

Susan Enge said it would have to be a group effort.

"We can't just hope it'll go away," she said, "we've got to get involved."

It would take everyone, said Ann Heron. "Youths, council and the community" would have to work together.

"Youth matters," said Jessie Hval. "There is a need in our community and nothing has been done about it."

Recreational programming needs to be improved, said Kaitlyn McNeill.

Grant Paziuk, a supervisor at the River Ridge Correctional Centre, said that Citizens on Patrol, a community safety group, needs more support and suggested that Crimestoppers could be set up in the community.

Much of the talk was about youth, but a bit of it was coming from a youth herself.

Kaitlyn McNeill is 21-years-old. She was sitting with her friends one day, "complaining about everything that's wrong" in Fort Smith. "I thought, if I'm going to be here, I'm going to make a difference," she said. "No disrespect to the present council, they've worked really hard, but I feel they're out of touch," she said,

"I'm not sure if residents are being heard."

Mayoral hot seat

The two mayoral candidates, Peter Martselos (originally from Greece) and Janie Hobart gave their speeches and then were questioned by the local Chamber of Commerce and town residents.

Chamber of Commerce: what would you do, as mayor, to increase the number of tourists to Fort Smith?

Martselos: said he would improve Highway 5. "It is a liability to us." People sometimes try to come to Fort Smith and end up turning back due to the deplorable condition of the road.

Hobart: said she would look at improving a range of services, especially with more hotels and restaurants in Fort Smith. "It would keep tourists coming back."

Fort Smith resident Mike Vassal: what is your opinion of the idea of building a dam on the Slave River?

Martselos: said he would approve the project only if there would not be a negative impact on the river. "If it's going to affect the environment I don't see how we can support a project like that."

Hobart: thinks it is a question of perception. Using hydro for electricity means burning less fossil fuels, which could mean less harm to the environment in the end.

Chamber of Commerce: what would you do to lessen vandalism by youth?

Hobart: believes more enforcement is necessary, through cameras and by-law officers. It is important to keep youth involved so they feel ownership of the places created for them and will be less likely to harm them, she added.

Martselos: said last summer was the worst ever for vandalism. It's necessary to work with the young people. "We need to help youth feel they are part of our community and make them realize they are important to us."

Chamber of Commerce: what would you do to get rid of the "half-built houses surrounded by junk" in the community?

Hobart: said it is necessary to follow through on by-laws, adding it's not fair for owners of pristine properties to have disaster zones as neighbours.

Martselos: said the town is working with legal counsel for legal advice on how to clean up unsightly properties. "Something must take place very soon."

Residents of Fort Smith can vote Monday, Oct. 16th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Recreation and Community Centre.