Take the time

As of Monday, the number of returned ballots for the municipal election here in Fort Frances was pegged at 1,939, or about 35 percent of the total eligible voters.
That number certainly isn’t anything to cheer about although it was markedly better than the figures as of Friday, when the total stood at 1,566 returned ballots (or less than 29 percent).
New town clerk Lisa Slomke doesn’t appear worried, saying “it looks very promising for a favourable voter turnout.”
True, it might be too early to bemoan a potentially dismal voter turnout. There may have been a rush of people mailing off their ballots at the end of last week—and those will add to the total in the coming days as Canada Post delivers them to the Civic Centre.
Or perhaps residents really are mulling over their choices for mayor and town council, and will wait as long as possible before taking their ballot to the Civic Centre in person prior to the 8 p.m. cut-off on Monday.
But just what connotes a “favourable” voter turnout? One that’s comparable to the 55.77 percent turnout in the 2006 municipal election here? Or is just breaking the 50 percent barrier good enough?
It shouldn’t be. The town is at a critical juncture with regards to its future and surely that warrants at least two-thirds of voters, and hopefully three-quarters or more, casting a ballot to help decide which direction we take.
If you haven’t voted yet, take the time to do so between now and Monday night.
More importantly, take the time for your community.