Art Bin Painting Event and Art Show
Pencil in November 8 as the date for an amazing Art Bin painting event, followed by an Official Gallery Show at &Loan Gallery on Victoria Crescent!
If you would like to paint a bin on that date, or are willing to paint one in advance, please call Yvonne Vanderkooi at 754.0677 or Maggie Wouterloot at 754.2710.
Details on the event for attendees in next month’s newsletter!
Make your Vote Count on Nov 15
The recent series in the Nanaimo Daily News offered this food for thought on the upcoming Civic Election on November 15:
Nanaimo’s south-end community has seen the impact of its local government this past year: an increased police presence to control the illegal drug activity, funding to rejuvenate Deverill Square Park, and councillors defending residents who refused to accept a homeless drop-in centre at the Balmoral Hotel. These accomplishments are a result of organized petitioning by neighbours who were eager to make their streets safer. The movement could lead to an increase in south-end voters in the fall election, as residents want to take a more proactive approach to shaping their community.
The South End Community Association wants its members to keep up their end of the democratic bargain when it comes time to vote.
“We’ve been through so much in this neighbourhood, it’s making the election a very real concept for us,” said Barbara Densmore, who sits on the community association executive committee. “People have that tendency to complain so easily, but if you don’t vote, you don’t really have a right to complain. Voting is empowering and you get a chance once to do it every few years in November, so exercise your power.”
Getting involved in local government is a responsibility of every citizen, not just for her neighbours, according to south-end resident Patricia Portsmouth. The last civic election in Nanaimo brought out 35% of eligible voters, strikingly similar to the provincial average for civic elections. That rate is “disappointing” for Portsmouth, who has worked on campaign teams at several levels of government.
“I run into some people who say they vote federally, but not municipally, which always surprises me because it’s so close to us,” she said.
“The laws and bylaws have so much impact on us and people don’t realize that.”
Neighbourhoods start push for election involvement
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Also from the Daily News:
Nanaimo regularly has a long list of candidates seeking public office, which has its advantages and disadvantages…… Eight Nanaimo candidates ran for mayor in 2005 and 38 vied for eight council seats. Many lack political experience, or a realistic understanding of what the job entails. They can take hundreds of votes away from more serious candidates, confusing voters and affecting the outcome on Election Day.
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So HOW do you choose a solid candidate in a city that has no ward system or parties? HOW can you ensure that the concerns of the South End will be addressed over the next three years? HOW can you make an informed decision?
Enter the South End Votes Blog.
http://nanaimosouthendvotes.wordpress.com/
Here’s how it works:
- Post any questions you have for potential councillors or mayor between now and October 10. If you aren’t internet savvy, call 740.0120 and leave your question/s on the voice mail.
- We’ll select 3-5 questions that best represent the issues of the South End and send them out to ALL potential council and mayoralty candidates.
- We’ll have all answers posted by NEXT newsletter date (November 1), both in the web and print format newsletters.
- You’ll be able to ask questions and make comments on the web version.
We will NOT be recommending or supporting any particular candidate…that’s not our role. Our hope is simply to provide you with the information to compare candidates related to specific South End issues.
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And from Pat Portsmouth, some interesting thoughts on the voting process:
WITH PRIVILEGE COMES RESPONSIBILITY
When you reach the age of 18 you have the privilege of the vote.
- So if you never want to have a pension or regulate the banks or the big oil companies, don’t accept this privilege, take no responsibility – don’t vote in the Federal Election.
- And if you never intend using our medical services, or schools, don’t accept this privilege take no responsibility – don’t vote in the Provincial Election.
- And if you don’t think any of the following are important – traffic lights, street lights, parks, recycling, fire and emergency services, sidewalks, water, sewerage, garbage, sports fields/ arenas, boat ramps….and on and on, don’t accept the privilege, take no responsibility – don’t vote in the Municipal Election.
Regardless of your political stripe, you may enjoy this animated version of Tommy Douglas’ Mouseland speech: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC1GtIhwpSk
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South End Community Association 