www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 19, 2014 | 6 Often, newspapers receive criticism for endorsements issued just before elections. Some readers appreciate the insight, some resent the practice, which has nonetheless become a timehonoured tradition in newsrooms around the globe. Usually, newspaper editorial endorsements come at the end of the campaign period and serve as one more piece of information that voters can cogitate prior to casting their ballots. Many are done on the basis that the news staff has been up close to the campaign and therefore has insight to offer. Campaigns are prescribed periods in which all candidates have the same amount of time to win over voters. Each has their own approach to do so. Some spend more money, have more volunteers, supporters, resources, etc. Often, no stone is left unturned and no potential voter overlooked as candidates compete for each and every vote. Some lay the foundation in the many days, and years, prior to putting their name forward. It always takes courage to put your name forward. It requires a commitment and it's an action others should appreciate. Candidates knock on doors, send out pamphlets, operate websites, get their face out into the community, and put forward their presence and their ideas at all-candidates' meetings. In recent years, endorsements from all corners appear plentiful. Associations, groups, individuals, peer politicians all throw their weight behind various candidates in a bid to sway voters or win votes. Such endorsements are not unlike those offered by newsrooms. But in the end, the nal decisions rest with voters. We encourage residents, as always, to take the time to do their homework, nd out about candidates, ask questions about policy, consider the opinions of others, and then make up their own minds. Be an informed voter. We know there is a copious amount of information to wade through. Sometimes, wading in to nd out more can leave one feeling swamped and on information overload. It can be dif cult to distinguish what's what and often people should dig several layers in before coming to any conclusion. Notwithstanding, at the end of the process, voters should take a deep breath and search their own emotions, opinions and ideologies to see which candidate(s) align best with their goals. When you are comfortable to align a possible vote with a candidate, that's when you are in a well-informed position and ready to cast a ballot. Democracy entitles each and every voter the opportunity to cast a ballot for the candidate(s) of their choice. Ballots are secret in order to ensure that right is guaranteed. Voting is a right and it is a privilege. It is one we each should take very seriously and it is one that each of us should cast based on our own rationale. Voting Day is Oct. 27. Time to get that homework done. Do your homework before Voting Day B A C Editorial K E D B Y T H "Connected to your Community" L E G I O N 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 110 E The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager SANDY PARE MARK DILLS On Friday, Sept. 12, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 486 Bronte donated $10,000 to the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Making the trip to the new hospital site for the of cial cheque presentation, from left, are: Mary Nieuwpoort, Ed Charlebois, Michelle Kerby and Wendy Charlebois. | submitted photo Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Letters to the Editor Let's boost voter turnout Oct. 27 I was very fortunate to attend the 60th annual Oakville Chamber of Commerce Chair's Dinner held this week. Congratulations to the Oakville Chamber for hosting such an amazing event. As CBC News Chief News Correspondent Peter Mansbridge spoke about his life as a journalist, he wove stories together beautifully mixing humour with facts and information. Given his experience covering news stories from around the world, one of his messages Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member to the audience was the importance of exercising our democratic right to vote. With the upcoming municipal elections on Oct. 27, each and every one of us in Oakville should spend time to research the candidates and express our opinion by voting. The fact that we have the opportunity to vote should not be taken for granted -- the choice is yours. Let's improve our voter turnout. Robin Garrell, Oakville Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Take time to smell the roses and more Last week, while out on an early morning walk, I was reminded how beautiful the owers are in the gardens at the corner of Fourth Line and Pilgrim's Way in Glen Abbey. Even in these nal days of summer, the owers are blooming beautifully and look stunning. What a great job our parks team has done planning and tending to them -- the contrast of colours, shapes and sizes is a real delight. If you haven't seen them yet, stop by and brighten your day. Doug Lincoln, Oakville The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.