Dear Editor:
This coming week, we have the opportunity to fulfill many of the reasons why we are so proud to be Canadian.
Friday, Nov. 11, is our opportunity to honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to have the freedoms we all enjoy.
In addition to attending the service on Friday, I believe we could really demonstrate how the efforts are being appreciated by exercising our right to democracy by coming out to vote in our civic election the following week. It is my opinion that no other election has a more direct impact on our day-to-day lives than the decisions being made by our civic leaders. These are the folks we all know and we can feel comfortable by picking up the phone or meeting them on the street. Then why do almost half of us stay home on election day and allow the other half to decide our future for the next three years?
Daily we are reminded of the political turmoil throughout the world whereby people are willing to stand up to despots and dictators and die fighting for the right to free elections while many of us do not even bother. How wrong is that?
Let’s show our respect and mark the ballot on Nov. 19. It seems we have a fine group of folks who have allowed their names to stand. Most of the incumbents are seeking reelection and we also have a group of fresh faces willing to stand up. So no matter what your view are, get out on Nov. 19 and show support and respect for your choice of candidate.
If you are generally satisfied with our last council, then support them. If you want to introduce some change, there is choice there as well. But most importantly, do not allow apathy to determine our future.
Don Hudgeon
Summerland