To the Editor,
I am disappointed in what seems to be a focus on City of Nanaimo politics – who will run for mayor or council, instead of giving as much attention to school board issues.
Equal coverage is needed all the more because of poor voter turnout for school trustees.
The school board has an annual budget of about $125 million. This comes from the same source as the city draws its money from the taxpayers.
You do not have to have children in the public system to vote. We are all affected by those coming out of schools. These are the people who will be our doctors, our home-care providers, our city planners, road builders, mayors and premiers.
If we want an educated and capable society, it is up to us to elect people who will be good stewards of the public purse with a passion for public education, not a passion for politics or using the office of trustee or stakeholder to further any other cause.
I urge your readers to get out and vote. Find out what the people running really want to do and why. Make sure the names you put your X next to have the right motives. You have up to nine votes on your ballot for school trustee. This does not mean you have to vote for nine candidates. Vote for those you feel will do what is best for the entire school district.
This is your future we are asking you to take part in. You are going to vote for mayor, so take a minute to fill out the school board ballot as well. It will be right there with the city council ballot.
Bill Bard
Nanaimo