Civic Duty
I have never voted in a municipal election. In my former city there really was no point, all the candidates for mayor wanted to do the same things but in a different order. I only knew of one of the candidates because he was the father of a couple guys I went to school with – one was a jerk, one used to be nice and later became a frat boy. I didn’t know, or know anything about, anyone running for any other office. So not only was I not motivated and there seemed to be no point but I wasn’t in the best position to be objective.
Now I’m living in a new city and a civic election is on the horizon. My partner is very interested in municipal politics but frankly I couldn’t be bothered this side of a garbage strike. It’s an odd reversal for us as I’m usually the more politically engaged, what with my degree and work experience and all. But it occurred to me today, or rather was pointed out to me I should say, that the outcome of this next election could very well have a direct impact on me. Frankly it hit me like a ton of bricks and I felt a little foolish for having not realized all the implications sooner. So I think I need to wade in this time.
It’s funny, after voting and working in many elections and even contributing to a party in this one narrow definition I’m a first time voter.
Just keep that Sanchez guy from CNN away from me, I don’t want to join his league or frankly have anything to do with him but wait for the next bang-on impression of him by Rob Riggle. Seriously Rob, where have you been? Paternity leave, whatever. I worked 3 days before my son was born, made work calls from the hospital, and was back at work 4 days later. Man up, there’s a war going on and the media’s frequently on the wrong side. They need to be mocked. They’re crying out for it. I can’t do it alone – not when you’d be such a good Sanchez-ripper.
Okay, got that out of my system.
So I was thinking about how I would vote. The respective parties have only recently chosen their candidates so it’s too soon to expect a coherent message on all issues. But when the websites are launched and the junk mail cometh what dimensions should inform my decision? I’ve narrowed it down to 5 things, it would have been 6 but what can the city do to make daycare more affordable? It’s not their mandate. I’ll save that one for later. In no particular order…
1) How do they feel about the recent changes in Translink leadership?
2) What do they think about the future of the PNE?
3) What will they do about crime?
4) What will they do about the downtown eastside?
5) What will they do about the environment?
Correct answers could be…
1) Its criminal; all legal avenues should be explored to restore openness to the process
2) Permanence and expansion
3) Make it unprofitable, innovative enforcement, empowerment and funding for police
4) Almost anything to make it better, no support of the status quo
5) Use the Olympics as an opportunity to innovate and upgrade to green practices
There are other issues and dimensions of course but they won’t weigh quite so heavily such as do they support WalMart, do they lean left or right, and are they Barackadians.
I coined that last word, just now. Write it down. Call Oxford.
