Editorial: Running for Council

Voting in Canada isn’t just a right—it’s a responsibility. Do your due diligence.

The race for office essentially began last week with councillor Cher Wyers’ declaration of her intention to run for mayor. Soon after, Mayor Brian Taylor announced that he would run again for mayor.

We expect in no time to begin to see faces both new and old pop up and declare for one of the positions of office such as mayor or council as well as for school trustees and regional directors.

We can be sure some of the nominees will get a hold of a single issue and make it into the “key” issue. Unfortunately, a council and a regional district—really any governing body—needs to be able to look at many, many different topics and be able to switch back and discuss each issue looking at how it will affect everyone in the region.

Certainly, water meters and deer gatherings are important but so are asset management, infrastructure, business retention, taxes, and on and on.

Councillors have tough decision to make. It’s certainly not an easy job. Voters need to look at what a mayor or council thinks about on not just one or two issues but a myriad of important issues.

Other factors to be considered are: How active are they at council? How involved are they in the community? What is their background? And how does it make them a better councillor?

Voting in Canada isn’t just a right—it’s a responsibility. Do your due diligence. These are the people who will be shaping the future of your town!

 

Grand Forks Gazette