Citizens of Weyburn, and of every municipality where there will be a civic election held, have the opportunity and the privilege to play a part in forming their local government body with the upcoming election on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
There has been an unfortunate trend in recent elections, especially with those involving local government, where voter attendance has been dipping lower and lower, as if to indicate that the results for city or town council doesn't really matter.
The fact is it matters a great deal who forms the local municipal government, as they will then directly impact the lives and pocketbooks of every taxpayer in that community; they govern how taxpayers' money is spent, how many employees the municipality has and what services they offer to the residents of the community, and what taxpayers are charged to get water and sewer, to have a municipal police force (as in the City of Weyburn), a fire department to protect the citizens, whether to pave streets and sidewalks and develop lots for future growth and development - on and on the list goes.
Anything and everything that goes on in the city (or town or village) falls under the purview of the council who is elected, so therefore every resident and taxpayer has a vested interest in how their hard-earned tax dollar is going to be spent.
This is the purest form of democracy in action, and as such is to be treated with respect and honour. There are many residents in many countries where they do not have the right and privilege to vote, and they wish that they did; in some of these countries, there is still blood being spilled as people fight for their rights.
In Canada, it is an integral part of being a contributing member of society, to vote for representation in every level of government, and this election will start at the most basic, local level.
It is true also that if one has the opportunity to vote and they do not exercise their democratic right, really they forfeit the right to complain later when they don't like what that council does, such as for example painting arrows and lanes on the roads that they don't like or understand, or set tax levels they can't afford to pay.
When voting day arrives on Oct. 24 (or, in lieu, an advance poll day), every citizen who is eligible and is of age should make the effort to go to their designated polling station and cast a ballot; this is your chance to have a say on forming council.
