Maple Ridge council candidates were lined up two rows deep at Thursday's all-candidates meeting in Whonnock, and because of the large number - 27 present at the meeting - the two-hour forum gave each just a short space to introduce themselves.

Albion continues to the be the underlying motif of the 2011 Maple Ridge council race tying together the need for services competing with the need for future farmland but questions about seniors services, affordable housing, and post-secondary education in Maple Ridge were also asked at the meeting.

The first part of the meeting was devoted to the two mayoral candidates, incumbent Ernie Daykin and challenger Craig Ruthven with audience members posing questions.

In response to Beryl Eales' suggestion of a community centre at the old Jackson Farm, Ruthven said he wants to make sure "council is committed to creating whole communities," adding that currently "Albion has no soul."

"It has no centre," Ruthven said. "People want a place to meet, to connect."

Daykin said the easy thing would be to say yes, I'll do it, but he added "I won't tell you what I know I can't deliver."

About an hour of the evening went into councillors giving two-minute presentations about themselves - many were cut off by the meeting's organizers as they tried to adhere to the schedule.

After the speeches, a question about seniors getting food from the food bank raised emotions in the room, and led to discussion about food security, affordable housing, and affordability for not just seniors but younger people as well.

Candidate Bob Goos pointed out that families are making choices between "Do we feed the kids or do we pay the rent."

The meeting continued until 9:20 p.m. and then candidates were able to mix and mingle and answer questions one-on-one with the voting public.

- Stay tuned to the print and online editions of the TIMES for more about the all-candidates meeting