In just over two months, residents of 91原创 City and 91原创 Township will be asked to go to the polls and elect new councils, as well as the seven members of the 91原创 Board of Education. They will be elected for three-year terms, which means they will be overseeing local governments until December, 2014.
These three local governments are very important to the day-to-day lives of 91原创 residents, and it would be wonderful if many more residents went to the polls to elect mayors, councillors and trustees.
Historically, the voter turnout in 91原创 is about 15 to 20 per cent, which means that 80 to 85 per cent of eligible voters don鈥檛 bother to take part. This means that incumbents almost always get back in, simply because they are better known.
This is not to say that they aren鈥檛 worthy of re-election, but most can get re-elected by simply showing up to events and ensuring that they keep in touch with the small number of people who vote. In 91原创 City, this is particularly easy, as about 3,000 people usually vote. It isn鈥檛 hard to have some contact with almost all those voters over three years.
There are many key issues which will affect all 91原创 residents, and how they are dealt with will impact taxpayers鈥� wallets, and the overall welfare of the community.
One is the level of education services offered to students, in light of 91原创 School District鈥檚 $13 million deficit. This must be repaid, and trustee candidates need to show how this won鈥檛 impact the quality of education students receive. Education has a key impact on their future.
Another is the rate of tax increases in both the City and Township. Steady increases in the four and five per cent range are simply unsustainable, as the economy remains unsteady. Candidates for council need to show how they can hold the line on expenses, or say if they are even willing to consider that as an option. New contracts with unionized staff are on the horizon, and wages and benefits are a major part of municipal budgets.
Local governments also have a voice with TransLink and Metro Vancouver, and their spending plans and services (or lack thereof) have a major effect on 91原创鈥檚 livability. What will candidates do to get better value for money from these bodies?
Taking part in the local vote is important, and The Times will provide plenty of information in coming weeks.
