With four video cameras rolling, a couple of still cameras clicking and white lights shining, film and TV students at Pinetree secondary school put Coquitlam's two mayoral contenders in the hot seat last Friday for a youth town hall meeting.
About 60 Grade 10 to 12 students - some of whom are eligible to vote in this month's municipal election - heard first from Coun. Barrie Lynch then from Mayor Richard Stewart about why young people should take an interest in politics.
The question-and-answer sessions were organized by Pinetree Information Computer Technology teacher Jon Hamlin, whose aim was to give students a chance to use their broadcasting skills in a live setting as well as to get them more involved in civic affairs. (Lynch and Stewart's responses can be seen on youtube.com/pinetreefilm later today).
Led by a four-member panel, the mayoral challengers were quizzed separately on topics ranging from the Evergreen Line to their favourite subjects in high school. Afterwards, the students were not allowed to leave the room until they wrote down a point from each of Lynch and Stewart's presentations.
