It is with gratitude that we note the addition of a candidate for the upcoming municipal election — mayoral candidate Todd Cowan.
Now, this is not because we have a particular beef with current mayor Bill Strauss.
In fact, it has more to do with the fact that Strauss, who has served this township as mayor since 1997, has been unopposed in the last two elections.
There is something wrong with that.
Whether a mayor is a good, bad, or indifferent one, there should always be an election. That’s because residents should have the chance to ask questions, to see the alternatives, and to choose between candidates.
With Cowan’s name on the ballot, that means that residents will have that opportunity — for the mayor’s race, at least.
Still, the rest of council looks like it will be heading towards acclamation, something that we do not want to see.
Right now, there are two candidates for Elmira — incumbent Ruby Weber and newcomer Jim David — and, since there are two positions available, they would, at this point, both get in for four years, without ever running an election campaign. In St. Jacobs, councillor Mark Bauman is again unopposed. We see the same situation in Conestogo, where councillor Murray Martin looks assured of a victory.
And while this could simply be an indication of how pleased residents are with how the current council is functioning, we suspect it has more to do with apathy than anything else.
Surely there are men and women in this community who feel they might have something to contribute, as a member of council. Surely there is someone out there who thinks they could do a better job than the current council — or who simply agrees with us, that the hallmark of a democracy is the ability of voters to choose between candidates.
If so, get your name on the ballot box. You have until Sept. 10 to do so.