I for one cannot wait for this little election to be over. Those signs are ugly. Do these candidates actually think that they make a difference. What a joke

later

I have to agree that the proliferation of signage is a very unsightly distraction. I do question the real effectiveness of using them to campaign with.
Chester

It appears that a telephone poll is being conducted regarding the mayorality race.

I agree about the signs, yet some are saying that signs are required to get one's name out there since people tend to vote by name recognition rather than postions on issues.

When I was in Richmond earlier last week, I did not see a single politacal sign.

My friends from Europe think this is a strange custom North America has. I am all for finding other ways to spend the money and effort.

I really thnk we should give strong consideration to the USA system of he/she who can spend the most money wins. Only, I think we should make pledges to charitable organizations instead of newspapers, etc.

Some of the construction skills used in building these signs look rather inadequate also. I would like to see a building code for these signs. Who would be responsible if a car or someone on on a bike hit one of the signs?

later........

I think the media could do a lot more to support the democratic process.

This web site was a good start locally, but even here where extra space is virtually free I haven't seen the candidates directly appealling to the voter with their positions.

Maybe 5 genaric questions that they all get equal space to answer?

The media needs to provide free equal space for candidates to present their platforms. This lowers the personal financial risk for the candidates and raises the profile of the issues at stake.

In addition to candidate forums I would have liked to see the radio stations and CKPG TV do one minute adds three times an hour from perspective candidates that chose to participate. I would be very interested in listening to a radio station that participated in the democratic process in that way.

I see the Citizen made free room for the candidates on the second front, and if they can why not the others?

I think media has a responsibility to the public.

I should add that when I see a lot of signs for a candidate and yet I know not of their position, then it makes me inclined not to vote for them.

On the other hand I remember last election I was approched by Brian Skakun outside the Royal Bank building and he had no signs but lots of pamphlets that he was handing out in person and inquiring about the issues. I was very impressed with this and voted for him as a result.

I would encourage others to also vote for those who make an effort to get their positions across rather then plaster the city with their name.

Time Will Tell

Chadermando ....

The saying goes that if you are a candidate that is listed in the first 8 on the list, your chances of getting an X beside your name are higher than if you were somewhere lower down the list. If that is the way a significant number of voters make up their mind, it is for that reason why political pundits say that signs are important for those not known in the community. Sort of like subliminal suggestion, I suppose.

CKPG TV has had three council candidates spar against each other on the nightly news for a few minutes. Newspapers have carried responses to questions. This site has posted candidates contacts for anyone to contact candidates directly and go to web pages of those who have them. In addition, there is another web site which has attempted to get the community and candidates involved in more meaningful discussion.

There have been all candidates forums at the venues of several special interest groups. Opinion 250 collaborated with radio and TV to bring such a forum to the homes of those who can receive Shaw Cable programming.

I find that all of those opportunities are virtually useless. Issues obviously are not discussed at all. I have heard lots about what people are for, very little about how they would accomplish what is on their wish list.

Why is air quality an issue? Only because shortly before the election we discovered we ain’t doing so great. Otherwise it would not have been on the radar.

Why is the Cameron Street bridge an issue? Only because it was shut down shortly before the election.

Why is the dangerous goods route an issue? Because during the election we discovered a class at UNBC was assigned a project related to it and we found out this city, unlike many others, is unprepared.

Why is the city centralized energy plant an issue? Because a lending bylaw was brought forward during the election.

Why is city debt an issue? For the same reason and the prodding of this site.

So, at least five issues which arose by happenstance for which this city was not prepared.

What else do they have in common? These should all have been on the radar as far as the current and past councils go. These are issues on which the incumbents should be evaluated. You be the judge on how well they have taken care of our safety and money.

I agree with the sign thing,eyesores on every corner of town,oh well I guess it gives some of the riff raff something to destroy every other night.I think in today's day and age it should be mandatory for everyone running to have a website.They can all state what they are about and what they believe in and then there is a record of it.I finally was able to view the opinion 250 forum on the weekend and that combined with a visit to some of the candidates web sites was enough for me to vote for some people who I have not heard of before.
Rock

Rock I agree about the web sites. Its a must for any serrious candidate.

Owl, IMO the current council was a dismal failure on all accounts. I am now down to three current councilors that will get my vote due to a lack of new choices. Basically they got my vote because their ability to inquire on the issues more so then than their specific positions.

The 6 or 7 candidates that I am considering to join council will get my vote based on their ability to get their positive message out at the individual level, a message I agree with, and the depth to which they articulate their reasoning.

Time Will Tell