YORKTON - While it might feel like we should be done with elections having just voted provincially, and the splash effect of the American presidential elections dominating headlines and social media, there is one more vote today.
Today in Saskatchewan we head to the polls to elect municipal mayors and councillors – arguably the group which has the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives.
The federal government is often focused on ‘big picture’ issues, and when they do dole out the dollars, cities much larger than our own will get the lion’s share.
Provincially, the government has greater direct impact, but it is often slow moving, or less dramatic than we might think. We know about slow moving with a decade-long wait for a shovel to be turned on a new regional hospital, and they might trim sales tax a point and make headlines, but our budgets will not be significantly impacted.
Move to city hall though and the decisions made there are felt and seen by all in the community.
The annual three-four-five per cent increases in property tax are seen on the tax bill each spring, and felt in taxpayer budgets.
It is the municipal streets we drive on daily, so we know the potholes, and when, or if they are repaired.
We know too when the snow is removed from those same streets.
We see the grass on boulevards and when it is cut.
We look to the city for so many things which are fundamental to over lives; fire protection, and garbage collection, and youth recreation and sidewalk rehabilitation, and the list could go on.
Those that sit on Council are also the elected officials we have greatest access too, and when we have their ear we know their vote matters – one of a small circle at the Council table, not lost as can be the case with opposition members or backbenchers at the higher levels of government.
So while we might be tired of election banter and voting, the one today is important.
We need to get out and vote for seven individuals we believe will serve the best in piloting our community through the next four years.
What they decide in the next edition of council will matter with some major things already on the agenda, including continuing to prepare for the new hospital we all hope will finally move forward soon, the start on a new sewage treatment plant and how the community affords that, and efforts to be part of a process to upgrade Grain Millers Road as a bypass for heavy truck traffic to save city pavement.
So, be part of the process in helping decide your community’s path forward – get out and vote today.
