There’s no question that the issue of the rail corridor has motivated Lake Country residents.
After all, 2,853 electors cast ballots during five advance polls. That is a staggering 30 per cent of all eligible voters.
“In the advance polls alone, we have beat the 2014 general election turnout and hope to see even more people at the polls on Saturday,” said Reyna Seabrook, chief election officer.
Given the trend, referendum day could be extremely busy and push turnout towards the Lake Country record of 43 per cent during the 1999 civic election.
While exercising your democratic right is always a positive, what is concerning is how the process to possibly borrow $2.6 million to purchase the rail corridor has divided the community. Neighbours have taken sides and there have been sharp accusations between proponents of the acquisition and those who are opposed.
But the reality is that no matter what side they belong to, all residents involved in the debate have one thing in common. They are all interested in the future of their community.
Those wanting the rail corridor purchased have embraced a specific vision that they believe will bolster the social and economic interests of Lake Country, while those on the opposite side insist that with limited financial resources available, there are other significant priorities in the community, such as maintaining existing roads.
Neither of these approaches are wrong and should be respected for what they are.
Voters will head to the polls Saturday but they must remember that come Sunday morning when the outcome is known either way, that they are all still members of a terrific community and should be proud of that fact.
One issue does not define a community.
