Monday, October 18, 2010

Election Day

I am about to go pick my children up from their school. When we get home we will walk across the street to the polling station so that they can watch me vote. I could have done it while they are at school but I really want them to have the opportunity to see democracy in action. It's a municipal election that we are in the midst of. I will place three marks on a ballot, one for our Mayor, one for our City Councillor, and one for our Public School Board Trustee.

There have been some big issues come up in our city since the last election. First and foremost in the media's attention seems to be the issue of whether or not to close our city centre airport and reuse the prime property for other things. We have an International airport about 30 km south of the city through which most of our air travel already occurs but many people are concerned about the possible closure of this airport which small planes fly in and out of. There are other bigger issues for me, as always: taxes and how that money is spent. And for my Public School Board Trustee: school closures. I know who I'm voting for based on an Internet candidate's forum and history in public office. I won't count myself among the most informed of voters but I try AND more importantly I will exercise my right to participate in a democracy by voting. Will you?

3 comments:

amber_mtmc said...

I firmly believe in democracy but have lost my footing. Like, I completely forgot today was election day (sickies). The worst part? I probably still wouldn't have voted had I remembered. I knew who I wanted to vote for but felt depressed knowing the guy would not win.

Why am I telling you this? Because I'm a hypocrite. I tell others to vote and don't.

I hope my kids don't find out until they are like 50.

Annette said...

hey just caught up on your blog, I am excited that your kitchen is done. Good work voting I missed this time, being "homeless" and in kenya is my excuse - i think it is a good one.

Anonymous said...

I always take the kiddos with me to vote. Honestly, it's so much harder that way, vs. without them. But I think it's so important.