Voters needs to do research before election
By Letter to the Editor on October 9, 2021.
Editor:
With the city election upon us very soon it is important that you become informed about the candidates. This year’s lineup of new challengers is very impressive. Research each candidate and see who aligns with your concerns the most. You don’t have to select eight names, you can just vote for those that you are sure about. Voting just to fill in names could nulify your vote for the person(s) you have selected.
Reading platforms and questioning the candidates will help get the best people for mayor and council. I want better, not status quo. I want taxes lowered. I want crime reduction. I want parks and green areas maintained. I want to see our city grow. I see no need for a performing arts centre that we can’t afford. I know we can’t afford a third bridge even though I want one. I see inefficient operations within the city that need to be fixed.
Talk about candidates with others and make an informed decision and we will start getting Lethbridge back on track. Our present council has been on a spending spree and was told so by past city managers. We need to focus on what we need not necessarily what we want.
With so many names on the ballot some will just check random names while others will use the alphabet method – first names get the check mark. Name recognition isn’t always the best way to elect our leaders either – would you hire Charles Manson to look after your teenagers for a weekend just because you recognize the name?
In closing, remember that politicians and diapers need to be changed regularily and for the same reason.
Reed Spencer
Lethbridge
-1
Thank you so much for your comments. Some people are surprised to learn that they can go and just vote on the questions on the ballot. They can just vote for say 2-3 councilors and not vote for a mayor candidate at all. You don’t need to research each of the 30 some candidates. Research a small number of them and if time allows research more. The Lethbridge Herald has done a great service to the process by publishing their survey results. There it is right in front of you to compare. Then hopefully if time allows ,you can decide to dig deeper. People have been sharing their emails from candidates with each other. This has been interesting as some candidates have different viewpoints on issues ,depending on the group or individual they are addressing.
We need larger voter turn outs for better presentation from all corners of the city.
“With the city election upon us very soon it is important that you become informed about the candidates.” — How is it possible that I did not think of this?
There should be two terms of office and a citizen bylaw on large project spending. We know the only reason Carlson and Campbell is their commitment to the arts group. Their work as chairman and council member on the Performing arts Committee expanded the new cost of facility size, operating cost but no $30million contribution from Arts group, Hyggen may be the angel on dope problem but he is in the class of big spenders he has committed to third bridge over $200 million which Alberta Govt will not commit too, he voted for funding for performing arts centre now from $75m to $125m.he voted for the exhibition conference centre the list is long. He has the highest expense accounts. no vote.