The most exciting local election campaign in recent history is nearing its end.
Going into Monday’s vote, 23 candidates will be scrambling for last minute votes. This is as it should be.
In the 2004 and 2007 municipal elections, the general public showed little interest in civic affairs. Very few candidates stepped forward, and record low voter turn out was recorded. Incumbent candidates had little trouble garnering the support required to hold their seats.
That is not the story this year.
This year, every single incumbent will have to earn their spot at the council table.
Whether it’s the recession hang over, building frustration with the collateral damage of unprecedented growth or anger with past decisions of council, portions of the public who want change are returning to the electoral process.
As we have seen in this election campaign, the return of voter interest to the process can be messy. One man’s fact is another man’s campaign tactic. Those of extremely different views offer us heated debate. This is as it should be.
Once the elections is over, and tempers dissipate, we have faith that the winners will be able to work together for the greater good of the city. We have faith that with so many candidates to choose from, Airdrie voters will send a stronger team to City Hall. The new faces to council will bring revitalized energy to the table, while the incumbents who return will have a much better sense of residents concerns than they did one year ago.
As long as this community remains plugged into civic affairs, regardless of who the election winners are, it will not be business as usual.
This is as it should be.
