Small communities between Nelson and Creston will have a chance to meet NDP MLA Michelle Mungall on their own turf as she travels through her electoral district on her annual Bend the MLA's Ear tour.
The summer tour is a tradition Mungall started in 2010, and she's been adding more communities to her list of stops each year. This year she'll visit a dozen communities over three days, spending an hour in each place.
"I usually meet with 10 to 15 people at each session," Mungall said. "It's pretty informal. People can just come and grab a glass of lemonade, have a conversation with me and we'll get to know each other better."
Mungall said she's had many lively conversations about politics in general during the sessions. She's also had people mention specific problems that she can bring to the attention of government.
"Last year someone from Harrop came to me with a concern about cable ferry, and I was able to bring that concern directly to our regional district manager for Ministry of Transportation," Mungall said.
For Mungall, paying a personal visit to the small communities she serves is a priority.
"It's important that not everything get focused on the four main communities [in the Nelson-Creston electoral district]," she said.
"The job I have requires me to do a lot of travelling to Victoria, the Lower Mainland and other parts of BC. So, I really look forward to this opportunity each summer to go into people's communities and keep connected with local residents."
The following is a list of stops on Mungall's Bend the MLA's Ear tour:
Tuesday, July 31:
9 – 10 a.m. Yoga School House, South Slocan
11 a.m. – noon Old World Bakery, Balfour
1 – 2 p.m. Crawford Bay Store
3 – 4 p.m. Riondel Community Centre
Wednesday, August 1:
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Argenta Post Office
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Drifters Restaurant, Meadow Creek
4 – 5 p.m. Bluebell Bistro, Kaslo
Thursday, August 2:
9 – 10 a.m. The Goods, Ymir
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Dragonfly Café, Salmo
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Yahk Community Hall
3 – 4 p.m. Kitchener Community Hall
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Canyon Community Hall