During next week all residents on the electoral roll and ratepayers will receive in the post their election information package for the Warrnambool City Council 2012 elections.
This is the opportunity for the community of Warrnambool to have their say in deciding who will represent them.
While some residents may regard our hard-earned democratic right to elect our political representatives as an unnecessary imposition which they carry out to avoid a fine for failing to vote, an informed electorate can make a difference, as can a cohesive team of councillors working together.
It is of vital importance that each voter takes the time to consider who they vote for and the order they place each candidate on their ballot paper.
There are 12 candidates seeking election to seven councillor positions for the next four years. In the interest of electing the best council, I simply ask all voters to take the time to consider who they vote for. Don’t be in a rush.
Talk it over within your family, among your friends and workmates so you have an understanding of the persons you vote for.
Unless you know the candidate personally it is a difficult task and you will only have a 150-word candidate statement to assess the worthiness of each candidate. Many residents may only know a couple of the candidates and some none.
So I simply ask every elector to take a little time to consider who you will vote for.
Remember, individual councillors can achieve nothing unless they work co-operatively to convince the majority of their fellow councillors to support their ideas and suggestions.
The effectiveness of the council over the next four years will, in part, be determined by your vote.
Andrew S. Fawcett, Lava Street, Warrnambool
