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MUNICIPAL ELECTION MANY KEY ISSUES FOR NEXT TERM: ACCLAIMED COUNCILLOR Continued from page 1 nicipalities of Ontario (AMO). A recent analysis by AMOshowsa decline inthe number of people throwing their hat into the ring across the p! m- pared to the: 2018 municipal election, candidates 1 in Spal ties across Ontario is down. from 6,658 to 6,306, while the number of uncontested seats went up from 477 to 548. Halton is seeing a 15 per cent decrease in the num- d in 2022— one MUNICIPAL ELECTIONY Oakville and two in Mil- ton — up two from four years ago. There's a crowded field insome open seats, includ: ing that of retiring H: Hills Mayor Rick Bomette and local council with eight to 10 competing candidates. In the face of voter apa- thy, where only 38 per cent of eligible voters cast a bal- lot in 2018, coupled with the low turnout in the June provincial election, est people to in Halton Hills, four in be more involved because HEARING AIDS that foyalat roi mVoler-lareavelelg loved ones, no matter where you are! “it's your future.” “The next term... important decisions ttl e made in terms of bud- gets, official plan, and fu- ture zoning of the area," he id. Nelson Wiseman, pro- fessor emeritus of political science at University of To- ronto, said voters tend to be less interested in mu- nicipal elections than pro- vincial and federal elec- tions. “For a lot of people. fea eral and provincial sues," such as health care and education or immigra- portant," he said. But it doesn't necessari- Georgetown (In the Knolcrest Centre) haltonaudiometric.ca Yaat INDEPENDENT READE RS’ HOICE 2022 AUDIOMETRIC CENTRE HEARING AIDS & AUDIOMETRY Call now for a preview of the next generation of hearing aid technology! Georgetown’s trusted choice for hearing care 905.877.8828 360 Guelph St., Unit 44 yi mean the turnout this will be even lower than before, he said. Helping to get the vote out is Jennifer Sibbitt of the Campbellville Com- nity sociation, which at press time ha hosted one of only two all- candidates meetings in Milton. "It's so important to know who you're voting for and to know where the peo- ple stand and what they be- lieve in. And it's a good chance to reach the candi- dates directly," she said. “Especially being rural, we have long driveways here, so not a lot of candidates can go door to door.’ Sibbitt said outside of “It's so important to know who you're voting for and to know where the people stand and what they believe in.’ the two council candidates her ward, there she doesn't recognize and getting information a about them isn't so easy. "This is a great way to just kind of get a little bit face to face and just get some real answers," she said, while calling for peo- ple to “vote and have your say." Vanessa Warren, who owns and operates farms in Burlington and Oak- ville, appreciates all the ways that people can vote. ose living in Burling- tol r, are able to cast their ballots online. static about that," would also like to see some electoral reform in the ~ Jennifer Sibbitt form of ranked balloting. Best, the AMO official, said it's important to make § it easier for people to vote & — including online voting — while ensuring the cess is secure so that peo- ple can trust the system. He's also hopeful that the federal government will look into reducing the vot- ing. age from 18 to 16. t 16-, 17-year- ous who are far more en- aged than a lot of 50-year- olds," he said. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the munici- pal election fast approach- ing, we wanted to compare dents and officials feel about the upcoming vote. STYLE! 2 43 Main St. South, Campbellville eo 854.06 5 CHRISTMAS DINNER IN ORDER NOW TO ENSURE YOu HAVE IT ON TIME! PLANFOR | _ CHRISTMAS NOW! oe fineoakthings: com g pro: § Ss mare