Municipal elections too important to ignore
Times Colonist (Victoria)
November 3, 2008 
By: Bernice Levitz Packford, and Blair Humphrey

Now that the federal election is over, we can turn our attention to the Saturday, Nov. 15 council elections.

Unfortunately, voter turnout is worse in municipal elections than in federal and provincial elections. … So, why don't people vote? Could it be apathy and/or a feeling that voting is pointless that voting makes no difference?

… For democracy close to home, vote in the coming municipal elections. In municipal governments, we are as close to the candidates as we will ever be. Municipal candidates live in our neighbourhoods. We see them at the market. We see them at work as mayor and council. We can write them, phone them, or talk to them on the street.

Municipalities only have about eight per cent of all taxes to spend. Not many of us realize the importance of that expenditure.

Decisions made at the municipal level determine our quality of life. Municipal governments are responsible for how our neighbourhoods develop. Municipal governments are responsible for police and emergency services, land-use planning, parks, recreational facilities, roads, sidewalks, libraries and child-care facilities….

Vote! Saturday, Nov. 15.