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J durhamregion.com THÉ CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ October 11,2006 ♦ Page A3 Y Clarington Monday, November 13 z 2006 -/ The secret to electing a good candidate VISIT AND CLICK Durham Votes'I Ask about what's important to you, say the experts BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer DURHAM -- In about a month, residents of Durham Region will be asked to make a big decision: who is going to represent them at the municipal and school board level for the next four years. With the formerly three-year term now extended, by provincial provincial legislation, to four years, it's more important than ever to put good people - people who truly represent you -- in office. After all, we're facing a period period of great growth and change in Durham. There are enormous issues - extension of Hwy. 407, new nuclear build at Darlington, growth and changes to provincial policy which will allow for significantly significantly higher densities -- in which municipalities will play a lead role over the next several years. "I think it's very critical that people vote because we do have these big issues on the table and we're electing for four years," said Dr. Robert Young, a political scientist with the University of Western Ontario. "They can do a lot of damage in four years." Given that, it's not easy to decide who is best for the job. "Electing high-quality politicians politicians is probably one of the most important responsibilities placed MwidUy, NwhUkt 1Î, MW For more on the ^ 2006 elections ^ durtiamregkm.com on members of any democratic society and yet it continues to be one of the things we do least well," said Charles Bens in his book Electing Better Politicians: A Citizen's Guide. "For a number of reasons, we seem to stumble and fall flat'on our faces in our efforts to find and elect good people, whether they are running for dogcatcher or for Prime Minister Minister of Canada." So, how do we go about electing good politicians to represent us at the municipal level? Mr. Bens suggests looking at a variety of facets of a politician, from leadership skills to ability ability to communicate and legislative skills to election election behaviour, promise, bureaucracy aptitude and beyond. Finding out these things about a politician can entail asking a lot of pointed questions. Voters "should be asking, as explicitly as possible, possible, what (candidates) would do if elected," said Dr. Young. One of the biggies is to find out which way they lean politically, said Neil Thomlinson, a municipal municipal politics professor at Ryerson University. "This fiction that municipal politics is non-partisan, that they don't run under a party banner, doesn't mean they don't have political underpinnings," he said. For example, "If you're a person who believes in a positive, active role for government, you don't want to elect someone who thinks everything should be privatized and government should get out of the way." 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High efficiency furnaces take their air for the burners from outside tints reducing the amount of cold air rushing into your home. These advantages give you a 15% edge over mid-efficiency which must be vented up a chimney because the flue gas is -IOOT; Unless physically difficult to install, always go with the high efficiency furnace. It will pay you back over and over. It will give you a 10-15% reduction in your gas hill easily repaying the price difference in 2-1 years. Warranties on the LENNOX^} (16IV furnaces are 10 years so relax, sit back and enjoy the money you $avc and go out for dinner! SPECIALS THIS WEEK • Present this coupon and receive a FREE remote with any Gas Fireplaces or Stove • Sale on the Pellet Stoves, Feet the Heatl up to $730 Available on [gEffEQJfflThlgh.effirlnnny gas furnaces w * """'i 'Abovo olfor mp' Ocl. 1S", 2006 Rebates LENm)& ** N * // ®l|c (Eomfmrt Jiffopge 160 Baseline Rd. E. Bowmanville (905) 623-2956 Hours: Mon. - Fri. B - 6, Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4 wobsltoiwww.comlortshoppo.com Email: glonn@coinfortshoppo.com individual stands on growth. "This time, a big orientation will be attitude toward development," development," said Dr. Young. "Are they pro- or anti-sprawl has become an issue in many parts of the province." province." Some of that can be seen in a politician's attitude toward taking taking campaign contributions from developers, said Dr. Thomlinson. "Certainly, in areas where there's still a lot of development pressure, the question I'd ask is, where do you get your money?" he said. "I'm still à believer in the old saw about 'He who pays the piper calls the tune'... we've seen councils roll over and play dead to developers. "I've never quite figured it out," said Dr. Thomlinson, of councils who allow developers to run rampant. rampant. "Most (elected politicians) live in the community too. You've got to think, why would they do that? The only answers I can come up with aren't very flattering." flattering." Check on other issues for which municipalities have responsibilities, responsibilities, too, directs Dr. Young. Property Property taxes, police, fire, libraries, discuss how they proposed to provide provide better value for the taxes being paid," said Mr. Bens. "Reductions in the level of taxation taxation would be wonderful, but not if serious problems go unaddressed or if the cuts will lead to increases in other areas or increases in the future." In terms of incumbents, Dr. Thomlinson said there's only one question, "which is really kind of fair -- did they try?" Whether what they attempted to accomplish is completed is reaily neither here nor there, given how municipal politics work, since members of council don't vote along party lines. "They're constantly having to seek out a coalition to get anything anything done at all," said Dr. Thomlinson. Thomlinson. But, by the same token, they shouldn't be claiming the glory, he noted. "Don't, let them claim action individually for it, because it didn't happen that way," he said. illustration public health - politicians should have a stance on all of these matters. matters. Voters should "do enough homework to understand what is truly municipal responsibility," said Dr. Thomlinson. "Unfortunately, "Unfortunately, municipal politicians ... get blamed for things over which they have no control" by an electorate electorate which is unclear on who does what. As well, voters should ensure they don't just fall for election promises, notes Mr. Bens, who said candidates, especially those who lack experience in the realm of municipal finance, often make promises they can't keep about cutting government spending. "This has overwhelming voter appeal, and yet most candidates have absolutely no idea what they are talking about," said Mr. Bens in his book. 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