And they’re off!
The candidates, that is, in the race to form the new political body for Merritt.
That involves well over a dozen people seeking publicly–elected positions.
Before we come away with one mayor, six city councillors and four school trustees for Merritt and area, I’d like to make a point of acknowledging the 19 candidates’ commitment to helping their community.
That is a group of 19 people who have, I’m sure, not simply entertained the idea of being public servants but are prepared to commit at least four years to it.
That’s no mean feat, considering city council and school trustee are largely thankless positions.
It’s not a job that ends for the day at 5 p.m.
The fact is, people are offering to make a huge time commitment with the intent to make things better — and not just for themselves, but for everyone in the community.
Call me naive, but I do think that’s the main reason people run for municipal office. Surely it can’t be for the fame, fortune and glory.
There are two all-candidates forums coming up, where candidates will get a chance to share their views on various topics with attending members of the public.
Those are a great way to hear what your friends and neighbours consider the issues to be, and other community members’ proposed solutions to them.
To get the most out of the forum, go in with an open mind and an open pair of ears. Regardless of what may have happened years ago, it’s up to a new team of people working together at city hall to advance Merritt as Merrittonians want it to go. That’s just not possible with huge lingering resentments or resistance from the very people whom the city council and school board are expected to serve.
As the campaign trail heats up, I expect many people from all walks of life to bring up a wide array of issues for candidates to address.
It takes a lot of guts to put your opinions on the line — especially knowing the criticism that can bring about — and I think we should head into this campaign period with that in mind.
It’s easy to criticize in a quick-and-dirty way, without considering perhaps things aren’t always so simple. It’s much more difficult to provide thoughtful, constructive criticism or to have an open dialogue where another point of view is reasonably considered. Disagreeing respectfully is an art, and it’s one we could all use more practice at.
Few things get people riled up like politics. It’s not just business to a lot of people; it’s the opposite — and deeply personal.
It’s handy to remember that as it can help us all use tact if and when the occasion to express disagreement or displeasure arises.
While politicians should be good on their feet and rational thinkers, it’s a fact of life that all people have limitations. No one person can be an expert at everything.
Still, I expect the voter turnout to be a low percentage of the total number of eligible voters in Merritt.
It’s the same story each time a municipal election comes around — where are all the voters?
Actually casting a ballot takes mere minutes — hardly a burden.
I think a big deterrent for people is the feeling there must be some kind of issue about which you’re passionate in order to get out and cast your vote.
Even if you aren’t impassioned about something right now, city councils and school boards make decisions about little day-to-day things that can make your life a little easier or a little more complicated.
Then, of course, city council also deals with big-ticket items such as new industry looking to call Merritt its home, lobbying higher levels of government for funding for various causes and delegating funds to local non-profits for the good work they do in the community.
The school board does much the same with respect to the allocation of funds for different programs, introducing new courses to the curriculum and upgrades and maintenance to schools themselves.
This is the third general election in a row with a respectable number of candidates on the slate.
The last general election in 2011 saw two candidates for mayor, 10 for council and eight for school trustee.
In 2008, four people ran for mayor, while 12 vied for seats on city council.
Even the byelection for a single council seat in February of this year saw six candidates.
So, as we head down the dusty campaign trail in Merritt, let’s remember to give credit where credit’s due: to the 19 members of this community who have put their names forth to make a positive impact.
