Discontent versus Complacency

Today's Morning Star story on the amalgamation petition's deadline had Bruce Shepherd, society rep, stating the group would work through the weekend tabulating results and prepare for next week's meeting with Eric Foster, MLA.

"(Bruce) would not speculate on how many signatures have been received," offers the newspaper.

Mr. Shepherd was quoted to say "Total-wise, I think we're good.  If you look at the turnouts for the last few elections, for what we did I think we have a good turnout compared to those."

Excellent point.

In fact, low numbers might even be better.

Huh?
How so?

Look back at voter turnout during the City of Vernon elections in 2011...a dismal 31% of eligible voters chose to exercise their right.

Only slightly higher, the District of Coldstream saw a 33% voter turnout that year, down a staggering 19% from the 2008 local election.

How could a low turnout/signatures be considered a good thing?

Well, scientists and researchers have concluded that a high turnout is generally seen as evidence of the legitimacy of the current system.

So, the natural extension then--as it applies to the amalgamation petition--is that a low collection of signatures is evidence of dissatisfaction with the current system.

Or is that a double negative?

Even Wikipedia knows amalgamation--or the newer word "unification"--is cheaper:    "The act of merging two or more municipalities into a single new municipality may be done for a variety of reasons, including urban growth, reducing the cost of local government and improving the efficiency of municipal service delivery."


A big tip of the wine glass to officials of the Society for the Future Governance of Greater Vernon. 

"Their work has only just begun," offers Kia.

Comments from the online petition are listed in this blog entry started on September 12, 2013.

Abyssmal Voter Turnout

With approximately 33 per cent turnout by Coldstream's eligible voters -- down 19 per cent from three years ago -- some would point to complacency as the cause.  "My friends say that nothing will change, so why go?" intones a resident in the parking lot outside the voting station yesterday. 

A high voter turnout is generally seen as evidence of the legitimacy of the current system, according to political scientists and economists, as this Wikipedia definition explains.

The article continues:  "Assuming that low turnout is a reflection of disenchantment or indifference, a poll with very low turnout may not be an accurate reflection of the will of the people. On the other hand, if low turnout is a reflection of contentment of voters about likely winners or parties, then low turnout is as legitimate as high turnout, as long as the right to vote exists. Still, low turnouts can lead to unequal representation among various parts of the population."


VernonCentral.ca published a quote from Coldstream's mayor Jim Garlick that may--or may not--be a factor:  the contentious homeowner-as-a-developer debate.  "We'll be looking to an example from Kelowna," admits the mayor.  But tweaking it to Coldstream, apparently. 

Candidates' votes received:
In Coldstream:  incumbent Mayor Garlick 1578, Hrabchuk 829.
Councillors:  Dirk 1668, Cochrane 1630, Besso 1602, Kiss 1451, McClean 1299, Enns 1263.

An even lower voter turnout was experienced in Vernon...just 31 per cent.
in Vernon:  new Mayor Sawatzky 4421, Lippert 2538, Davies 1858.
Councillors: David 5634, Cunningham 4019, Lord 3829, Spiers 3714, Quiring 3413, O'Keefe 3353

in Lumby:  incumbent Mayor Acton 306, McEwan 229, Green 133.
Councillors:  Ostafichuk 500, Mindnich 403, Fisher 337, Hodge 299.

And, since Mayor Garlick wishes to look at Kelowna's subdivision bylaw for guidance, here are the numbers for candidates there, you may wish to know names of their elected members...they might have tips how their servicing bylaw affects Kelowna homeowners:
in Kelowna:  new Mayor Walter Gray 13995, Shepherd 13574, Condy 1000, Chung 749, Ouellette 370.
Councillors: Zimmerman 18857, Given 13111, Basran 13073, Hobson 12413, Blanleil 12081, Stack 10279, DeHart 10206, Singh 10077.

Whether or not your personal candidate(s) were successful...all who let their names stand in this election deserve thanks from those who did vote.

"I'll arf that sentiment," adds Kia.