From Meghan Coughlan Hernandez. Tonight, at 7:00 pm, Bruce Banman announced that he would not be attending the mayoral debate tomorrow evening due to Diwali celebrations in Abbotsford. As a former mayoral candidate, I am aware that the email invitation for the debate would have been sent approximately 2 weeks ago. They would have asked whether the date worked for him and waited to schedule until they’ve heard back – especially considering that he is our incumbent mayor and one of only 2 candidates this election.
With 24 hours to go until the debate, Bruce Banman publicly cancelled via his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bruce-Banman/1562319613991319
After many negative comments re: his cancellation, Bruce Banman apologised for “the confusion” and stated that he would be in attendance for one hour.This status update was then edited to clarify that he would be there between 8 and 9 pm.
He also removed any comments questioning why he would not be in attendance. (Greyed out comments are comments which have been deleted. They show as grey until the page is refreshed by those viewing it.
If you look at the post now, any negative comments have been completely wiped out. Unfortunately, most of them disappeared before I had time to take a screen shot from my cellular phone. I posted a comment asking why I had my comments removed, but I am not banned from commenting on any of his posts.
Diwali celebrations are planned months in advance. Bruce had ample time to reschedule the debate, but waited until the day before to do it, (and later recant.) It is clear to me that there was no confusion. In my opinion, Bruce is avoiding questions about the chicken manure incident and Abbotsford’s treatment of the homeless. Although he did not attend the council candidate’s debate last night, his wife was in attendance and I am sure she informed him of the amount of questions re: the homeless,the green scarves worn to remember how he voted the ACS Housing proposal down and the Voices for Dignity banner hung from the balcony.