It's time for voters to get to work

It's time for voters to get to work

Municipal election candidates have a little more than two weeks to convince voters on why they are best-suited for the jobs they are seeking. To be sure, voters have, and will, continue to hear plenty of promises, boasts of accomplishments (both real and exaggerated) vows to "listen" to taxpayers and pledges "to work" with all "interested parties". While the rhetoric, which seldom changes from campaign to campaign, can be a bit overwhelming to the average resident, it is imperative for voters to remember that they have a responsibility to themselves, and their community, to cast a ballot. The Regional Municipality of Halton and the Town of Halton Hills are large corporations controlling millions of dollars-- largely YOUR dollars. Why then, as a resident who is eligible to vote, would anyone choose not to cast a ballot? In the last municipal election there were 38,665 residents eligible to cast a vote yet only 12,637 did exercise their democratic right. While that 34 per cent turnout rate is nothing to shout about, it dwarfs other municipalities where the turnout was as low as 16 per cent. Still, having one out of every three people vote is not a good ratio. We commend the candidates who have put their name forward in this election, but the onus lies on the electorate to ensure this community goes into the next four years with a solid group of leaders who will steer our town, region and school boards in the best possible direction. The people who are elected will be given a huge responsibility to spend your money wisely, therefore it is incumbent upon every eligible voter-- especially young voters-- to learn about the candidates and make an informed choice Nov. 13. It is your right, and perhaps more importantly, your duty.