Let’s hear it for the 61 women and men who are off and running for the privilege of getting elected to City Council and our local school boards for the next four years.

With only 24 seats up for grabs, the majority won’t make it but it is a tribute to them and our community that they are all willing to serve in times when issues are increasingly complex, money is in short supply, and the public is demanding and cranky.

There was a time when serving on City Council was much simpler because the province looked after the heavy lifting. Then came the downloading of programs and services to the municipalities. Municipal budgets and responsibilities went through the roof and the Council horseshoe became no place for anyone with good intentions but weak qualifications and a stomach to match.

I have homework to do before I vote on October 25. There is unfortunately only one mayoralty candidate who deserves serious consideration. At the time of writing I haven’t made up my mind about my options for Pittsburgh Councilor and school trustee. On the subject of school boards, I grow increasingly concerned about the number of former teachers and school board administrators running as trustees. The boards need a diversity of skills and experience—not more experts on education.

Some Councilors have earned the right to be returned. I would love to be able to vote for Dorothy Hector or Ed Smith. They’re both smart and hard working and are not hog tied by the narrow ideology that hampers so many of their colleagues seeking re-election. Unfortunately, our own district councilor, Leonore Foster, is deservedly taking retirement after 22 years. She has been outstanding. We owe her a debt of gratitude for the work she has done on our behalf.

Thankfully, we have only one acclamation for Council. It’s a pity that it goes to Lisa Osanic because, in my opinion, her right to re-election needs to be tested by the voters. Like most of her council colleagues whose candidacies were also endorsed by the Kingston Labour Council, Osanic’s voting pattern is very predictable. I respect the union movement—I was an active member myself when I was in the newspaper business—but I don’t want them telling me how to vote and I’m concerned when a large number of councilors vote as a bloc time and time again. I have an innate dislike for political endorsements by groups of any kind. To me, they signal a cozy relationship that raises questions and breeds cynicism. I want to feel confident elected officials are independent and use their heads and hearts to decide each and every issue purely on its merits and what is best for our community.

In the 2003 municipal election, the Kingston Labour Council endorsed seven candidates and three were successful ( Rick Downes, Sara Meers and Steve Garrison.) Vicki Schmolka missed out by a narrow 408 votes in that election. Fortunately, the labor-endorsed candidates were in a minority that term and despite their best efforts could not stop the remarkable progress that Council made (Market Square, K Rock Centre, Invista Centre, Grand Theatre etc.)

Four years ago, seven out of 10 of the Labour Council’s candidates got elected: Meers, Garrison, Osanic, chmolka, Rob Hutchison, Joyce MacLeod-Kane and Rob Matheson.( Its candidate for mayor, Rick Downes, almost won.) Is it just coincidental that this has been a council deeply polarized, obsessed with minutae and with few accomplishments?

As a voter, do your homework. Vote but vote wisely. The citizens group Kingston Electors provides an excellent website with a wealth of election information—including videos of the candidates. I believe in that old adage that we get the governments we deserve. I think Kingston deserves a better Council than we’ve had for the past four years and on October 25 each of us has an opportunity to do something about that.

By: Sally Barnes