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6 OPINION S M EDITORIAL IMPORTANT Milton Canadian Champion | Thursday, October 18, 3 insidehalton T0 VOTE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTION The 2018 municipal eleetion is nearly upon us. Oct. 22 is voting day for municipalities across the province unless, of course, you cast your ballot early in an advance poll. If you have voted already, or plan to on Monday, give yourself a pat on the back. No, really. The fact of the matter is that far too few of us even bother to vote in municipal elections. While the 2015 federal election's voter turnout hit an impressive 68.5 per cent and the recent provincial election saw 58.4 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, most municipal elee- tions struggle to see voter turnout crack 40 per cent. And that's a shame. RRR "Arguably, the choices made hy members of council at your town or city hall have more of an impact on your daily life than the legislation that gets debated and passed at Queen's Park or Parliament Hill." Granted, municipal issues may not always pos- sess quite the same grav- itas as those at the pro- vincial or federal levels, but important decisions are still made at your local council table. Arguably, the choices made by members of council at your town or city hall have more of an impact on your daily life than the legislation that gets debated and passed at Queen's Park or Parliament Hill - even if the latter two arenas garner considerably more press coverage and punditry. That's not to say that federal and provincial-is- sues aren't important, but upper and lower-tier mu- nicipalities are directly responsible for the admin- istration of many services you rely on every day, in cluding local and regional road maintenance, provid- ing clean drinking water, garbage collection and countless others. If you have concerns about the delivery of local services, future development and/or your annu- al property tax bill - a perennial gripe for many home- owners - then now is the time to express it both to the incumbent politicians seeking re-election and the new candidates hoping to replace them. It's very easy to get turned off politics these days, but given the important role munigipal government plays in our communities, it behooves us all to take some time over the next few days, learn a little bit about those who g desire to represent us and then vote for the candidates we think will do the best job. After all, this is your best opportunity to voice what you want for the future of your community. A chance like this only tomes once every four years. 5 TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDENALION COM CHAMPION TRACKS . Kim Tesch Fol From left, Brett Ryan, Ray and Alana Plourde, Kim Jesch, Linda Ryan, John Field, Pat Ward, Paul Lahie, Tammara and Rob Champoux visit the Pompeii Ruins in Campania, Italy with a copy of their favourite community newspaper. Going away? Pack a copy of the Champion in your suitcase, snap a creative photo and email your Champion Tracks submission to x sleblanc@metroland.com. Please include evéryone's name and destination information. IB LETTERS & COMMENTARY MAN'S ACTIONS AN INSPIRATION Every weekend at the Milton park, behind the arena, there is aman who, when walking his dog, goes with a garbage bag and picks up after other less community- shinded people. I was impressed when I saw him and see this as a great and uplifting story. I'hope you can inspire others with this story as this gentleman inspired me. Unfortunately, even though I spoke to himand thanked him for his exam- ple I did not get his name. : MARGARET MURPHY A CARING, VIGILANT COMMUNITY Social media and phones were abuzz as folks responded to an alert that a woman was missing in rural Milton's Nassagaweya community earlier this month. Thankfully, there was a happy ending. I was cop- ied in this email to the Halton Regional Police Service, which I think is worth sharing. "(Recently), a neigh- bouring woman was ob- served walking across a hay field toward a corn- field and bush on our farm. Knowing the wom- an suffers from dementia we became alarmed. Jumping into boots we took off in pursuit to re- strain her. Too late - amazingly she simply dis- appeared from view and our efforts todocate her." "My wife phoned Hal- ton police for assistance. Shortly thereafter, offi- cers from Milton and Georgetown arrived, the first being Jared Hickey. Subsequently, more -6ffi- cers arrived to help. An of- ficer from the K9 unit was dispatched. Fear for her safety set in, considering many acres of bush and corn fields complicated mat- 4 ters." "My wife and I greatly appreciated the response, concerns expressed by all . the officers attending. It is reassuring to residents to know that in times of need the support of our of- ficers is available - some- thing we should all be proud of and grateful for." "The lady was located by an officer a mile or two from the. original sight- ..ing, safe and sound." "All's well that ends well. Many thanks to the Halton Regional Police Service for a job thought- - fully and competently completed." I believe the Marsh family deserves a thank you, as well. If not for their actions, the result may have been very sad. A caring, vigi- lant community is a safe community. CINDY LUNAU SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT . INSIDEHALTON.COM : . CEs frets Champion. ABOUT US This newspaper, putialed every Thursday, 1 8 Oasion | of the Metroland Meds Geoup Lid | a wholly-owned submideary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland tarmily of newspaper 6 Oomprasd of more than 80 community publications across Ontano This newspaper j a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring thew concems to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National News Media Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St, Toronto, ON MAW 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca nnc )ocna editor@miltoncanadianchampion.com MiltonCanadianChampion @Miiton_Champion WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Regional Manager Digital Content Karen Miceli Director Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss CONTACT US Milton Canadian Champion 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 289-293-0615 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name-and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. 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