As I finish preparing for budget meeting the next three evenings, I wonder how many people will come out and watch the proceedings?
Ever since I've been on Council, there has been no more the 5 people in the gallery during budget meetings. I've never been to a budget meeting until I was elected onto Council, so I can guess that people are interested or just happy with whatever the decisions are of those we've elected.
Now that I've been involved for a few years, I see how important these decisions are and how the effect the residents and property owners of our community. As a form of government, municipal officials are the closest to the people and the decisions made at the level have the most daily impact on the people.
After an election (only 20.8% of eligible voters voted in Stony Plain), are people happy to just let the elected officials make the choices for them? Do we place so much trust in our elected officials or the choices of a few voters to govern on our behalf.
Voter turnout in Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections on average are 55-70%, 45-65%, and 20-40% respectively. It should make one wonder if we really have a democracy? At least we have the right to vote if we chose to exercise it.
Just random thoughts after a long week and preparing for another.
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