I can recall asking my mom and dad who they voted for as a kid and they would consistently reply, "None of your business." They would only tell me that they, for the most part, voted for the person and not the party.
I have voted for slates and I have voted for individuals. Occasionally, when the stars align, the people I believe in happen to be on the same slate.
I am not going to use this platform to tell you how to vote. I am only going to say that this election offers a very real opportunity to appreciate incumbency.
I can tell you that I made my mind up for this cycle shortly after the deadline for candidate filing was completed. We know there will be at least one new face at the council and trustee tables this year. It is encouraging to see so many candidates coming forward and all of them, no matter what ideology they espouse, are to be congratulated for taking the time and spending the money to put themselves out there.
Some candidates say that change is needed and that may be so in some circumstances in other municipalities. Although I agree that it may be worth investigating whether a three-or four-term limit should be considered, I am going to immediately contradict myself by saying that incumbency has its merits as well. I like what the board of education and our mayor and council have accomplished over the past few years and I trust them to keep up the good work.
When you are elected as a trustee or as a councillor, it is ridiculous to think you are there to represent either one of the distinct communities of North Delta, Ladner or Tsawwassen. Until such time there is an overhaul toward a "ward" system, we should expect that all of our elected officials, no matter where they live, are elected to serve the whole of Delta, not just part of it.
So, forget about voting for candidates based on address alone. It just doesn't make sense, and there are way too many examples to cite in 500 words.
Although there are no seemingly crucial issues at the present, fresh after an emotional Remembrance Day it is important for us take 10 minutes from our sunny Saturday to get out to the polling station and show that we appreciate a hard fought right. Remember that there are millions of people around the world who are still fighting and dying for this process that we seem to take for granted. Best of luck to all candidates!
*** Speaking of putting yourself out there, local Save-On-Foods produce guru (and crazy man) Dave Lemire will be on a quest on Saturday, Nov. 29.
For four hours, Lemire will be doing the Tsawwassen version of the Grouse Grind at Fred Gingell Park. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., he will be going up and down the stairs to raise money for B.C. Children's Hospital. This is an excellent opportunity to promote family fitness and supporting children in need by joining him.
The Optimist will be providing some more info on this event in the coming weeks and you can learn more at this nasty link: https://secure. bcchf.ca/SuperheroPages/team. cfm?Event=OFGTeam=8779
