Mayor's Race versus Council Members

Election news this past week has focused mainly on the mayor's race in Sarnia. Is this important? YES; however, please remember that the Mayor only has one vote. I believe that the focus should be on electing eight ( good

critical-thinking councillors. Please Please Please read what each councillor brings to the table. They need to have the experience and forethought to make good decisions for the City. They also need to get along with each other. (We have seen what a council is like when there is disruption and disagreement)

The Sarnia mayor has had and will have Strong Mayor powers; however, six good councillors, in agreement, can even overcome the mayor's misdirection!

Sarnia needs people on council, including the mayor, who can debate respectfully and who can agree to disagree, but still move forward. When a majority decision is made, even the person(s) who voted against it should get on board and try to make that decision work as positively and smoothly as possible, since that decision was a majority decision of the Corporation's board of directors. Continually bemoaning that you were the only one who voted against something only weakens the City's effectiveness.

The real campaigning starts after the approved list is printed on Manday. Ask questions of each candidate on as many subjects that have your interest. Listen to the answers, and even if they do not fully align with your thinking, are they a solid and reasonable approach to the problem? Please remember that nine people will decide the direction of any situation.

Do not expect one person to have all the answers, and even if they did, their approach and demeanour must be in place to convince others to go along with their solutions, since it takes a majority on council to move things forward.

I personally see a lot of good people running; hence, we have some good choices.

Please do your due diligence. Ask questions and listen closely to the answers. Choose wisely for who you want to run this city for the next four years. Your choice is critical - PLEASE do not just check the boxes.