Don’t shield your kids from the election process

October 15, 2014 · 0 Comments

(Re: Sign pollution shouldn’t be around schools. October 2, 2014)

Yes, election signs are an eyesore but, they do attract attention – including the attention of kids.
Parents, please view election signs as a great opportunity to educate our children about Canadians’ right to vote. More than half the world’s population are willing to literally die to vote (dare I mention the student lead demonstrations recently in Hong Kong?) while we who enjoy the privilege often fail to exercise our vote.
Are you aware that less than half of Aurora’s citizens voted municipally four years ago?
Please, parents, do not shield your kids from election signs, especially on tax-funded school and park properties. Use it to help them understand our democratic process. Take the kids to the polling station, and into the polling booth to watch as you vote.
And don’t forget you have the right to vote for only those who best represent your ideal Council. This means you do not have to vote for seven Councillors and one Mayor. If only one or two council candidates capture your ideals then only vote for them.
Spoiling your ballot to register displeasure with the candidates is also a voter’s right. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if more people exercised their vote?
In my humble opinion we’d probably experience more transparent and fair governance than we have these past four years in Aurora.

Susan Morton Leonard
Aurora