Dear Editor,
This letter is directed to all those individuals who have taken the time to share their thoughts and opinions regarding our local government. My thanks to Brooke, I liked his template so much I intend to use a similar format.
The Hard Way: Become a friend to your neighbours — volunteer your time at school or in the community, work with our youth and with local sports teams. Support your community — volunteer your time for local committee work with the library, your community centre or other public body, join a local service group. Give back to your community — provide thoughtful feedback to your governing authority at a community open house, or volunteer your experience and expertise to a civic board or committee. Run for public office — experience the reality of trying to balance rules of law and thousands of bits of new information with the conflicting needs and wishes of your electorate.
The Easy Way: Write a letter to the editor and tell us all how you’d do things if you only had the time.
I choose to believe that our elected officials normally try to do the right thing for the majority of those they are elected to represent. I may not always agree with their decision, but I respect that these individuals are, for the most part, trying to do the best they can within the law and with the (often significant) information they have at hand.
We all maintain the right to criticize when we feel our government has made a serious error in judgment, of course, but only after we have taken the time to garner all the facts and information. That information is normally available if you’re prepared participate and to listen.
Richard Backs,
Sylvan Lake