e-KNOW Editorial

By Ian Cobb

So you want to make a difference and be a leader in your community.

Good on you and good luck to everyone tossing their chapeaus into the general local election ring.

As the nomination period closes (Friday, September 9) and campaign period begins (Sept. 17), it’s time for candidates and incumbents to share the reasons why voters should consider them as the right people for the jobs of forming local governments and school boards.

Campaigning requires fortitude, thick skin, preparation and lots of reaching out to voters.

It’s serious business and it isn’t easy work, especially with the current trend for some people to behave like complete assholes when dealing with politicians.

Try to ignore the shouters and threatening lummoxes; they’re the minority of your constituents though they try to monopolize everything to skew their way.

Hold firm to your platforms and take every opportunity to be heard or read.

That said, I invite all candidates to submit op-ed pieces to e-KNOW (with a headshot) so voters know more about you. Because of e-KNOW’s digital only format, there is no word count to worry about but try to keep your submission as concise as possible.

Do not wait for media to contact you. Take the initiative and contact us and seize the day.

I say this every election; politics is all optics and if you don’t have a good look about you, it shows. Of course, I’m not talking about personal appearance, rather how you present yourself to your constituents and what you say and do.

Finally, one last piece of sage advice: beware of social media at all times. It can be a heartless and disturbingly ugly place at times, even if it provides some exposure for candidates and elected officials.

I can think of numerous local politicians who have experienced social media ugliness and bullying and it has become a factor in who decides to run for office.

Our society is still evolving a ‘proper’ course through social media, with more and more people wanting greater gatekeeping controls by the giant platforms, so it remains the wild west. Tread wisely in it and don’t argue with idiots. Keep your chins up and keep moving your council and communities forward.

Most people who serve in local government leave with positive memories and experiences. Try to be one of those politicians. They’re always the best ones.

Good luck again and thank you to everyone courageous enough to place their hats in the ring.

And thank you to all the elected officials not running again. Your service is greatly appreciated.

And yes, I’m looking at you Dean McKerracher, Gerry Wilkie and Mike Sosnowski!

Please forward op-ed submissions to: [email protected] .

– Ian Cobb is owner/editor of e-KNOW

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