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OUR VIEW: Knowledge is king during election time

Voting is an opportunity to exercise your democratic right and let your voice be heard but as the old quote goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Voting is an opportunity to exercise your democratic right and let your voice be heard but as the old quote goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

A majority of B.C. residents recently voiced their displeasure and repealed the Harmonized Sales Tax via the province-wide referendum.

As is the case when it comes to these types of situations, there were people that were informed on the ins and outs of the tax and they voted accordingly but it’s possible that a number of people chose the repeal who weren’t up on the HST facts.

Intense dislike for former premier Gordon Campbell and anger at the way it was introduced are possible reasons for voting nay.

Civic elections will take place on Nov. 19 in Grand Forks and across the province and people will take to the polling stations to elect city councillors and area directors and it pays to be informed on the issues.

There has been confusion and concern expressed as to voting eligibility and there are rules for people that are considered residents and non-residents.

There will also be some referendum questions that will be asked during the civic elections, some relating to borrowing for infrastructure upgrades – emergency water supply for fire protection and roads, water and sewer – and expanding the fitness area at the aquatic centre.

The amount the city is proposing to borrow is about $5.5 million and while people might balk at borrowing that amount of money and be against such a move, failing to do anything about the aging infrastructure could mean spending more in the future should the infrastructure fail – it is better to replace or repair a bridge in deteriorating condition as opposed to after it has collapsed.

But those are only a few of the issues that the local electorate should be keeping an eye on leading up to the election.

Knowing about the issues that affect Grand Forks and the surrounding region will mean a more informed decision when you go up to the ballot box.

– Grand Forks Gazette