A group of 91原创 Township council candidates are organizing a 鈥渕eet and greet鈥� event, so that potential voters can meet as many candidates as possible. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 91原创 Events Centre, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Candidate Sonya Paterson and several others came up with the idea.

Her initial concern was that candidates would not be able to make opening remarks at a candidates meeting being organized by Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce. That has now been changed, and candidates will get one minute to  introduce themselves and give background.

At the chamber meeting, they will be asked to vote on a hypothetical question before council, and each candidate will get at least two one-minute opportunities to explain their positions. Four candidates will be able to respond after each 鈥渧ote.鈥� The chamber meeting takes place at the Events Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

A similar format is planned for a meeting of City candidates the previous Wednesday. That meeting is at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

鈥淎fter reading the e-mail from the chamber of commerce regarding its all-candidates meeting, I was left with some reservations regarding the format,鈥� said Paterson. 鈥淭here was little opportunity for the numerous new candidates who have committed to running to give the audience an idea of who they are and why they are running.

鈥淭he concern is directly related to the challenge of motivating citizens to vote. I believe we should try to do all we can to help our citizens become familiar with the candidates,鈥� she said.

At the Nov. 16 event, there will be an introduction speech by each participating candidate, followed by an informal meet and greet. The cost of booking the room is being divided by those who agree to participate.

There are 27 candidates running for the eight councillor positions in 91原创 Township, and three candidates for mayor.