It’s an opportunity that comes along once every four years that shouldn’t be missed.
The municipal election to decide who fills the mayor’s chair and councillors’ seats is rapidly approaching, and we believe the more input from residents, the better.
Whether you have concerns about policing, traffic, development or a host of other topics discussed with regularity in our local coffee shop or watering hole, the next six weeks leading up to the Oct. 20 election play a crucial role in our community’s future.
While most candidates have established a platform outlining their priorities, a few strategic questions that may have flown under the radar have been known to play a critical role in how the final results are tabulated.
If you haven’t given any thought to what questions you would ask the candidates, there’s still time to come up with how to articulate what matters to you at the all-candidates debate Oct. 3 at the Prestige Oceanside Resort. It’s one of the best ways to hold candidates accountable, and performances at events like this have been known to sway the vote one way or the other in the past. You will also provide a valuable service to your neighbours by forcing those seeking office to be clear about where they stand.
If you can’t attend the debate, take a few moments to formulate a few queries on topics of importance to you and phone the candidate in question or email them, if that’s more convenient. The electronic version, although less personal, will provide a written record that may be useful if the need to hold someone’s feet to the fire arises in the future.
And be prepared to speak your mind in a polite, forthright fashion if someone seeking office shows up at your door.
There’s a strong case to be made for the fact that every vote matters, and every question as well, especially at the municipal level. Local politics is where your voice will carry the most weight, and potentially make the biggest difference.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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