Dear Editor,

This last byelection came and went so fast, and unfortunately it was barely noticed. I heard many say they didn't even realize it was happening.

With the postal strike backup, not getting any notices mailed to voters, an extremely busy seasonal time, it couldn't have been held at a worse time.

There was no public event this time with the candidates speaking and answering questions.There was minimal coverage in the paper, and there was no quick and easy information as to where specifically voters should go to vote. There were brief instructions provided to go to a website, put your postal code in and see the location, but I don't think that realistically happened for many.

I hope others were disappointed that only about 17 per cent of eligible voters turned out to cast ballots.

It makes you wonder, if more had turned out, what the result may have been. There needs to be more voters turning out, and encouraging friends and family to, (including those that just reach voting age) remembering it is a privilege and responsibility, and the results affect our life, otherwise there is no true reflection of support for some candidates or the parties, and the position is basically given away.

In the previous election, all candidates in a Q&A section of the 91原创 newspaper, provided answers to each question on where they stood on several issues, except the Conservative.

Even now in this byelection, upon winning, the Conservative candidate still refused to provide some comment when asked to by the media. No matter what party you support, do you find it acceptable that a candidate chooses not only to dismiss the media but also not to provide a response to questions explaining their position for the residents of Cloverdale-91原创 (the voters)? 

Colleen Walker, 91原创 City