A packed crowd filled St. George’s Anglican Church in Grafton Thursday night for an Alnwick-Haldimand mayoral candidates’ debate hosted by the Alnwick-Haldimand Ratepayers Association.
Candidates Sherry Gibson and incumbent Councillor Mike Ainsworth shared similar views on several key issues, including support for the Nauwautin Nature Sanctuary, maintaining the township arena, and backing the local agricultural community.
Residents also raised concerns about aging municipal infrastructure, governance, and volunteer involvement in community facilities.
The candidates differed on the role of the mayor at Northumberland County Council, with Ainsworth emphasizing township interests and Gibson stressing the importance of representing the county as a whole.
The Ratepayers Association has additional election forums planned later this month and in early October.
(York-Bell Smith)
