Originally this week’s column was going to ask where were all the candidates for Brockton council.
After all, with just two weeks to go before the deadline to file, Brockton was sitting with less than a full council (four councillor candidates for five positions). And given that there’s no last minute change of hearts, we’re guaranteed to have at least three new faces for the five councillor positions. (Coun. Tim Mancell has announced he’s not running again while Couns. Dave Inglis and Dan Gieruszak are vying for mayor and deputy-mayor spots respectively, leaving their councillor positions up for grabs.)
One would think that such a big opening would result in many more venturing forward to test the waters of municipal politics. In several other communities there have been a record number of candidates filing. Mount Forest has four running for mayor and many others seeking various councillor spots. That’s a far different scenario than previous elections where councils were fully acclaimed in that municipality.
But, with Coun. Charlie Reidl’s decision to run again, we will have an election for every position (six have now filed for the five councillor spots). There are still nine days to file, so we could very well end up with several more candidates.
In fact, I’ve often seen it where candidates wait until the last moment to file to catch others off guard or simply they want to wait just to see who the competition will be and measure up their chances of success.
Regardless of the final number, it’s good to see that we will have an election for each position. Democracy is best served when voters are given a choice – good choices that is.
It’s certainly too soon to say who the front runners are, but, like the start of every new season of hockey, football, or baseball, everyone has a shot at the title.
On your marks, get set...