Editor:
I want to encourage First Nations people in Williams Lake to take advantage of your voting rights in the upcoming municipal election.
One may ask: “Why should I vote? City Hall hasn’t done anything for me.”
However, the decisions which the mayor and councillors make do affect you and your family.
For instance, does your family use facilities such as the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex or the children’s playground and water park?
Do you participate in festivals such as the Stampede, Street Party, Canada Day, Halloween fireworks and the many other annual festivals?
City Hall decides when property taxes increase.
Even through you may rent, increased taxes may mean increase rents.
City Hall controls city road repairs, snow removal, parking, and many things I am not aware of.
This election does affect the many First Nations persons living in the City of Williams Lake.
You do have a voice. You can make a difference in the city’s leadership.
How does one choose who to vote for mayor?
You may not know any of the candidates.
They are Kerry Cook, the present mayor, Walt Cobb and Scott Nelson.
Although none are First Nations, there is a way to know which has been more open to communicating with First Nations people.
Past newspaper articles and columns have many opinions of all three candidates.
In the Tribune, both the chief of Soda Creek and the Williams Lake Indian Band have endorsed one candidate.
Evidentially, only the people living in the Williams Lake city limits can vote.
That leaves many of us out who live in the surrounding areas. If you have not registered you can phone City Hall to find out what you will need to register at the polls or the rules should appear in the Tribune before the municipal election. Just take advantage of your right to vote.
Leona Charleyboy,
150 Mile House
