It's time to vote

A6

BY MIKE LUSHINGTON

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Speak Up

In writing this column over the years I have always adhered to a non-political policy. By that I mean that, while I may very well comment upon government decisions and programs that I feel need consideration (either positively or negatively), I have never endorsed either a political party or an individual candidate — at least not as I can remember.

Since the closure of the paper mill and, more recently the announcements that the chemical plant would be closing and that the railway spur into Dalhousie would be "abandoned" by the end of the summer, I have volunteered to sit upon several committees.

These committees have been characterized by two factors: everyone on them has some hope that things might be done to save the town, and to boost the economy of the whole region; and nearly everyone on them, at least in the beginning, was on the wrong side of fifty years in age.

On one occasion, someone remarked upon that fact. There was some discussion about why younger people — those in their late twenties, their thirties, and early forties — were not involved. I gather that the discussion has continued and that the message behind it is being heard. At the most recent meeting of one of these committees, I couldn't help but notice that six of the other participants were former students of mine. I also realized, as I considered them briefly, that all of them were finding some level of personal success locally, and that they were, in fact, bucking the tide of outflow that has captured so many of their peers.

This brings me back to my opening observation, because, in a sense, I am going to break with my long-standing non-political bias in this column and suggest that when you go out to vote next Monday you just might consider casting a vote in the direction of one (or more) of the bright young candidates who have decided to come out into the open and run for municipal council seats.

I must confess that when I first realized that council elections were going to be held this year I had the fleeting thought that the various municipalities would be hard pressed to find candidates to fill council seats. I thought further that it would be most likely be that older people would once again provide most of the names on the voters' lists. I was most pleasantly surprised then when I saw the list of candidates for the various municipalities throughout the region and recognized the names of good numbers of younger people.

Now, as a Senior Citizen myself (it still surprises me to realize that that statement is literally true) I have all the respect and admiration in the world for those people who have been the backbone of their councils and municipalities for years, and, in no way do I wish them ill. However, the young people who have decided to run this time are making a statement that they believe in the future of this region and that they are willing to commit themselves to making that future a reality. Some have taken to working on those committees upon which I sit; others, to run for office in their communities.

They are to be applauded, encouraged, and, hopefully, supported.