People ask for very little

If a candidate  listens  to people during a campaign, there is much to learn

We have read about a  resident who plans to put a sign on his door to deter candidates
from making a connection.

Time and time again I've  heard of a decision  to vote for a candidate because "he was the only one who knocked on my door and asked for my vote"

A  comment  made a couple of days ago about a candidate not being a taxpayer started a discussion.

The immediate  response was ...." So "

It evolved, as it often does to an accusation that  I  have attacked Councillor Pirri  for the same reason.

Councillor Pirri and I have agreed and disagreed during the term.It  haas made no never mind to either of us.

If I  ever made a point the Councillor's inclination to support an extravagance I opposed  because he
wouldn't be paying for it, would that be a low blow or would it simply be a strike against a weakness in his argument.

People  18 years and over have the right to vote and be candidates. If  successful, is it a dirty trick to remind them  of their unique  circumstance  if the occasion arises or  is it a risk they  must be aware of  and take when they decide to make a bid for office.

The voters make the decision to elect.

If Councillor Pirri  or his parents were multi-millionaire, and a person living on a fixed income hurled the charge that he spends more having the hair on his pointy head cut than his parents pay in property
taxes, is  that a relevant point in a debate.

Again, the people will decide.

I think it might be especially  in the heat of the moment when passion arises.

Or is passion  also a no-no.

Some would  argue council meetings should be apolitical. All present should adhere to  calm deliberate, dignified, demeanour, conscious of sensitivities and stupefyingly  dull.

A pox on that.

A rhinoceros hide is not a necessity for participation in politics. But it's not the place for the
easily offended.

Aurora's politics have always been robust. I take personal responsibility for upholding tradition.

The advent of  social media  has  expanded the opportunity outwards.
Simpering  politician  have a hard time coping.

They become whiney and quarrelsome.

I was at the Mayoralty Debate  last night.

Several candidates  introduced themselves to me.
One was the twenty-year old.
He is a pleasant young man ,looking older than his years, wearing a three piece suit ,intent on making a good impression.  He did.

These things also matter.

There are as many reasons for a person to vote as there are persons who vote.

In the last election, John Abel was extremely friendly. Last  night he walked past without acknowledging  my presence.

Politics is about respecting people and their differences.

Things go on in people's lives a candidate knows nothing about.

Often a voter  just needs a reason to hope.