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The Sun-'mbune welcomes your let- ters. All submissions must be less than 400 words and must Include a daytime telephone number. name and address The Sun-Tribune reserves the t to publish or not pub and to edit for clar- Ity and space. Lotta: to the Editor, The Sui-Tribune 6290 Main St mm" L“ I87 is comprised of 100 community publications actoss Omano. The York Region Newspapet Group also includes me Libetal, sewing Richmond Hill and Tnomhiil. Vaughan Citizen.The Eta-Bannei (Newmamet/Auroia), Matkham Economist Sun, Georgina Advocate, Ybrk Region Business Times. North of the City. yonuegionmm andYork Region Printing. York Region Media Group community newspapers The Sun-Tribune, _ published every Thursday and Saturday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Comoration. Metmland jmasonoymg.com Dawna Andrews dandrvwsé’yrmgcom cnormanOyrmg.c0m lETTERS POLICY Carolyn Norman Pnonucnou Immawe MEDIA While it appears some candidates haven’t done their homework, it’s vital you do yours. And no matter wh vote Oct. 25. Municipal terms are now four years. That's a long time to be saddled with a politician who isn’t qualified or doesn't represent you, as a taxpayer. Which one will keep your property taxes in check and spend your hard- eamed money wisely? Who will ensure growth occurs in the proper locations and service levels aren't negatively impacted? In some ways, being a voter is like buying a new car. You are faced with a myriad of choices and it's incumbent on you to do your research and make the right choice, rather than falling for a slick sales pitch. All-candidate meetings ane planned in all of our communities in the coming weeks. Set aside time to attend one and challenge those seeking your vote on the issues and where they stand. Kick the tires, so to speak. You can also become better infonned by following the races in this newspaper and at yorkregioncom Others are being equally shy. refus- ing to attend debates and not mak- ing themselves available for interviews. These “phantom” candidates do little to advance the concept of democracy. “Why are you calling me? Where did you get my number," one mayoral can~ didate responded when contacted by a York Region Media Group reporter. He also mentioned he doesn’t really want to run, but is doing so to give vot- ers a choice, rather than see his oppo- nent acclaimed. Elsewhere, 3 candidate filed just before the deadline, but is not provid- ing contact information to voters or the media. But the question voters must ask is how many of these hopefuls are viable candidates? ‘ Having a choice and exercising your vote is a cornerstone of democracy. Yet equally important is having candidates running for the right reasons â€" , to launch a strong campaign rather than simply being an additional name on the ballot. In many of our communi- ties, we’re beginning to encounter some of the latter. ' With the municipal election less than a month away, campaigns are heating up in all our communities. In some cases, five or six candidates are battling it out for a single posi- tion. InVaughan, for example, there are 63 candidates on the ballot this time around, compared to 54 in 2006 and 44 in 2003. Kick candidate tires before election day PUBLISHER Ian Prou NI 0 N Wm Editorial get out and Library board volunteers sorted the question cards. Kathleen Brent, who was a greeter and set-up person on the evening, also contributed a lot of time to set up the library display of candidate flyers and newspaper arti- cles. The display will be maintained until the election, if you'd like to drop into the library. As part of that display, for the first time. a basic document describing the election process for newcomers As much as I can now relax with the event behind me this year, as l unwind and pack up my notes, I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me. So many volunteers helped to bring this event to you. Our hope is those who attended the meeting were helped in their deciâ€" sion-making process. We have seen grth of our com- munity and the complexity of the tasks our elected officials are respon- sible for on our behalf has grown. It’s no surprise with the increase in population we have seen an increase in the number of candidates who step forward to offer their service to our town. The meeting has been a tradition of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library for almost 30 years. Elections were every two years in the beginning, then three years and now we have four-year terms. Last Thursday’s all-candidates meeting was a real challenge with so many candidates, but the chal- lenges meant we’ve pulled together an exceptional program for the citizens of our town. Re: Money matters to Stouffuille candidates, Sept. 25. Many came together for candidates meeting LOOKS LIKE ; 3;, ‘ \ n‘s AN ‘ r , ELECTION YEAR! / Q‘ ‘ A, . ' ' , t V r a" A, A. v. Avg; MARKHAM FAIR STARTS TODAY 0m MAE! Letters to the Editor You can read letters, columns, edito- rials and stories fi'om The Sun-Dibune on yorkregionoom Finally, a big thanks to all who attended or listened in. It’s been a real joint effort to provide this program and I appreciate all the help. CATHERINE SWORD (JOvORDINATOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY At Stoufiville District Secondary School, the caretakers who set up and the students who managed the sound system were wonderful in helping the evening run smoothly. Question presenter Stephen Sword helped to provide a smooth question period and, as usual, Stouffville Sun- Tribune editor Jim Mason was a calm, efficient moderator. Thanks go to The Sun-'Ifibune, the event’s co-sponsor, for all the proâ€" motion. including articles about the meeting and the new twists in the process. Also for the first time, the event was aired live on WhiStle Radio. Its volunteers certainly picked up the ball and ran with it. has been translated by volunteers into various languages: Carolyn Nor- dheimer James (French), Fabio Rizi (Italian), Raphael Han (Korean), Hwei-ling Lam (Chinese), Maureen Ramanan (Tamile) and Aisha Nadeem (Urdu). b What do you think of these issues or others? E-mail letters to the editor to jmason@yrmg.com PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot HAVE YOUR SAY Tribune We do know they have no con- flicts, at least when it comes to debate nights. lim Mason is editor of The Sun- Dibune. Remember to call the candi~ dates. .But, with more than three weeks until election day, there's still time to hold your own neigh- bourhood meeting. Rent a room in a community centre or school, set a date and inform your neighâ€" bours. Earm- m Camp Debora Kelly At this printing, there was no news on any other pre-election gatherings. The chamber, which normally hosts a mayoral debate, is instead taking part in a Rogers TV event being recorded in New- market this morning. Doubly sad, considering the number of voters we’ve heard from who were tied up with school barbecues or the Whitchurch- Stouffville Chamber of Com- merce's annual business awards dinner last Thursday. Sadly, last week’s meeting may have been your only chance to question a group of candidates at one time. I was reminded of the story during last Thursday’s all-candi- dates meeting at Stouffville Dis- trict Secondary School. Most candidates spoke of keep- ing taxes low and not taking on additional debt. Fair enough. But almost in the same breath, some spoke of building youth and seniors centres, 21 curling rink, an addition to the library and a new Latcham Gallery. A talented few were so good at sucking and blowing at the same time, they could re-channel Lake Ontario and turn the Stouffville- Uxbridge area into a thriving fresh-water port. Former MPP Bill Ballinger liked to tell a joke about politicians promising all things to all people. Busmnss MANAGER Robert Lazurlw Dmncmn, Omous Barry Black Can we cut debt, tackle new projects at same time? with ]im Mason Off The Top Dumcmn, REGIONAL Pnonucrs, Cussmnn, TODAY'S Houns Debra Weller Dnncmn, Ammumc, DISTIIBU'UON Nicole Fletcher