For the next few weeks on Off The Page, we are doing something a little bit different from our usual format. With the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 15, we wanted to take a look at what you - our listeners and readers of the Comox Valley Record have to say, particularly on what you care about in this election.
What is important to you? Are you planning on voting? Why or why not?
With the goal of finding out these answers, weB次元官网网址檝e gathered different groups of people together to ask whatB次元官网网址檚 on their minds as they prepare to cast their votes.
In this episode, weB次元官网网址檙e talking with two seniors - Betty Donaldson and Tony Reynolds.
Q: Within those past 15 years, how closely have you been involved or really kept an eye on municipal politics?
Donaldson: ItB次元官网网址檚 been interesting to see how much governance we have in the Comox Valley; itB次元官网网址檚 amazing, really for the number of people we have including the federal government. So the municipal government has become more and more important because of course we have an election coming up, but more and more, I have realized that especially as a retiree, how important it is to have a good municipal government.
Q: For those who maybe choose not to (vote), particularly on the municipal level, what would you say to that?
Donaldson: I have a low tolerance for people who donB次元官网网址檛 vote. I donB次元官网网址檛 see how they can call themselves Canadian citizens, peace order, and good government where the was the man, when I was growing up, letB次元官网网址檚 not lose that.
However, we do know that seniors tend to be the larger voting demographic. IB次元官网网址檇 love to see more intergenerational conversations about voting. It brings tears to my eyes. When I see seniors going into schools to vote, that is an exercise in democracy.
Q: What are some of the issues that you find that are really relevant for you in this upcoming election?
Reynolds: There are two issues in particular B次元官网网址� One is the whole question of adequate planning in terms of the services and infrastructure that we have in. In our villages and towns, weB次元官网网址檝e seen a huge amount of growth in Comox in the last two or three years.
I think we should be very careful about what we approve in terms of significant new residential development because otherwise, weB次元官网网址檙e going to end up with this Valley being a suburb of Vancouver and thatB次元官网网址檚 not why weB次元官网网址檙e here. IB次元官网网址檓 not against growth. IB次元官网网址檓 all for growth, but we need to do it in a more thoughtful and realistic way. The second thing I am very keen on is I believe that the whole climate crisis question can be much more creatively addressed at the local level.
For the rest of the interview, listen above or search for Off The Page wherever you download podcasts.
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