Election Fun

I've been through two elections in my time as a reporter. It's been less than a year, so that's a pretty good start. The only dissapointing thing is that means it's less likely I'll have another year with two elections.









You can find results somewhere on www.radioowensound.com, but I doubt anyone reading this is actually from there area.

That is, unless the federal government falls within the year and we have a provincial election next fall. YES!

They're fun to cover. It's a big rush. You're mingling with supporters, candidates, staff and other reporters with everyone wanting that first look at the numbers and that first shot at the politicians when the results come in. It's a rush to be there on the phone setting the scene while big decisions are up in the air. Not as fun with mail-in ballots because we got all the results at once. But I enjoy the heck out of it. Got dressed up in some of my new clothes I got for being on TV too. Niiiice!

Municipal Elections are sure different than their counterparts. The campaigns are not nearly as smooth. For the most part, these politicians are local residents who want to make a different in their communities. Most of them have to keep another fulltime job in order to make a living while in office. It's not a career, it's an extra responsibility they take on for whatever reason. I know there are likely some of them who crave power or respect - but I think in small town local politics it's less about ambition and more about the real belief you are making a contribution.

Unless you're independently wealthy all ready it makes no sense to put so much time and effort for so little return. That is, unless you really think you're helping. That's admirable. That's a little different than federal MPs who make more money than I'm ever going to make. Some of them take a pay cut, but they would never have trouble making a living on that money.

If they did I'd tell them to screw off anyway.

So while we can criticize what local politicians do in small communities - I think we have to keep in mind how much they sacrifice just to try and help make the town/city/whatever a better place.

With that said, I found it striking how many of them didn't have simple election strategy. It seems enough of them felt all they had to do was put their name out there and knock on some doors. We are a fickle people and it takes something special to get our attention. If you even know your electorate a little there are good and simple methods for standing out from the crowd. Hell, even a really simple slogan for their signs. Makes me wonder what I could do in a political strategist role, even as just an advisor. Not that I have a lot of experience, but I feel like I have really good instincts for those things. Especially in pushing those who try too hard to just keep things simple and don't force any kind of fake personality. A simple and easy message - god they should drill that into politicians' heads. Like how Harper's 5 priorities destroyed Martin's 168.

Municipal elections are also a lot more personal to the people who really care. Instead of it being about health care from Newfoundland to BC, it's about what building is going to be built next to you? What's the road like on your way to work? Where is your garbage going? How much is your property worth? When you mess with things in people's own home they can sure get worked up. Less people care, but the ones who do care passionately.

There's one Mayor who was re-elected and is so upset with a bunch of things that happened that he refused to speak to our reporter there. There's a long story involving one of our high ranking employees that I can't tell publically - but it's not at all fair for our newsroom to be treated with such disrespect. It's one thing if you have a beef with one of our staff, but I think we've been fair in covering the election. I know I've had a part in some of it, and I felt I gave him equal time and fair coverage. Frankly, despite his anger with us it doesn't mean I wanted him to lose. I personally - now that it's over - think he is probably the right candidate. But he really needs to grow up and not hold grudges in such a childish way. We're just trying to do our jobs. He was willing to talk to us during the campaign, and now that it's over he doesn't want to talk to anyone but the newspaper reporter who likes him. Stephen Harper moved into local politics out there.

It's amazing how a battle to be the Mayor of a small municipality of 10,000 turned as personal as it did between the two candidates. Supporters of the challenger brought some stuff out from the Mayor's past that was questionable (ie not necessarily verified) and frankly pretty irrelevant to whether he had done a good job. Dissapointing to see that kind of thing when I really want to think the best of those who are doing these jobs.

Some good news from our municipal elections? Lots of females found their way onto councils where they were under-represented. A couple councils who had no women added a couple each. We have more female mayors in the area than we had before the election. It's always a good step. We're so far from women equalling 50% of elected officials that it's nice to see things move at least a little in that direction.

In Ottawa news a rich businessman with no political experience whipped the Mayor and a longtime city councillor. I don't buy his plan for zero tax increases through his mandate - but it is an interseting political story. A guy who few people knew walked in and stormed through the favoured competition. He won by more than 10% over much bigger political names. Nothing is impossible - especially when you have some cash. He also had a very simple message. No tax increase (Zero means Zero) and clean things up. Very typical conservative messages, but messages that work very well in a city that was promised savings from amalgamation and havn't seen any. The other candidates ran too broadly - too slick - and the guy who wasn't a politician was able to win over the middle class.

Now lets just hope he scraps the stupid train and concentrates on some kind of tunnel or bridge for the transitway downtown. That's the real problem - the rest of the east/west route works just fine.

In personal news, I'm doing well. Mowgli is becomming a better roomate. He's starting to offer up the cuddles now that he's calming down a bit. Though if I ever try and cut his nails watch out.

In Edmonton Oiler news - why the hell aren't they scoring? Chemistry certainly has something to do with it in relation to the new guys. I also think hockey is a very mental game, and when you get into a slump you just hold your sticks too tightly. Same thing is happening in Ottawa - but at least Oiler fans can say we've won more than we've lost. Sens fans? Another week or two like this and Pat Quinn might be coaching there ;)