Municipal Elections - Powered by Fear or Hope?

What do you think drove the voters in your area to mark their Xs where they did? Was it fear or hope?

During the last week before the municipal elections on Nov. 15, I attended two candidates' forums. In one, attendees had the opportunity to speak with each candidate in a small group setting for five minutes and explore questions of importance to them before moving on to speak to the next candidate. Tough questions were posed and people spoke with passion, but there was respect.

In the other one, a panel of candidates faced an audience of 50 or 60 where 5 or 6 people dominated the questions, often haranguing the candidates with harsh words referring to their answers in a previous forum and loudly calling into question the candidate's integrity and veracity. The moderator did not ensure that everyone who wanted to speak had a chance before others were allowed to ask a second or third question. And he treated at least one of the candidates with a condescending manner when it was his turn to answer a question. It was clear that a group of people who didn't live in that area and weren't eligible to vote in that area were there to create conflict and discredit the candidate.

As a voter, I think you know which forum gave me the best information on which to base my opinion - after all, that had been my reason for attending.

While I believe it is important to ask candidates tough questions, to elicit their views on important issues and to hold them accountable for their actions, I believe we must do that with civility and respect and allow them to answer the questions without cutting them off and calling them names.

Everyone who stands for office believes that they have something important to offer as a member of council, school board or regional district. They are willing to stand out in front and declare what they believe in and to defend it.

When people can do that without fear of being attacked, we will entice our best candidates to put their names forward.

When we attack those who are brave enough to come forward, we discourage many others from taking that important step and we significantly reduce the number of capable candidates we have to choose from - and diminish our chances of having the best people for the job elected to create a future full of hope for our communities and our world.

Just ask most people why they don't run and you'll hear them say, "It's too negative. Why would I want to put myself and my family through that?"

It's a sad commentary on the way we have allowed a few to divert a process meant to ensure good governance.

If you agree, then you know what to do for the next election - demand a respectful process and don't settle for anything less.