Okotoks residents looking to learn more about candidates running in the Civic Election will have their chance next week.

The Okotoks Chamber of Commerce will host its Candidate Forum, an evening to help residents make informed decisions.

Andrew Gustafson, President of Okotoks Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce a new rapid fire question format for the 2017 forum.

"It's a rapid fire question period for our council candidates, and it will allow us to ask between the council candidates, and mayoral candidates upwards of 70 questions. We'll move through them very quickly but it will allow us to get a lot of issues on the table, and a lot of interesting discussion on the table. If nothing else our community will be more educated by the end of the forum on the variety of different topics that are discussed at the council table on a bi-weekly basis."

He encourages Okotoks residents to send in questions for both council candidates and mayoral candidates, adding everything is on the table.

"People can ask any question they feel is related to the town of Okotoks, and we would actually like to throw out to the community to send us question ideas. We're looking for 70 questions so we would really appreciate if people could start sending us questions so we could screen them for local relevance."

The Candidate Forum will be held at the Foothills Centennial Centre, Tuesday, Oct. 3, doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Gustafson says the Chamber of Commerce has also partnered with the Okotoks Food Bank for the event, they be will hosting a peanut butter and jam drive.

"If people coming to the forum would be so willing to bring a jar of peanut butter or jam it would be a great asset to the food bank."

Okotoks residents can submit questions for the Forum by emailing president@okotokschamber.ca

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