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If you are on a slate, say so

As a political junkie I’m interested in all of the local elections.

As a political junkie I’m interested in all of the local elections, but as a Williams Lake resident and taxpayer for the last 41 years and 10 months, my focus is on the city elections.

So what do we have?

The three candidates for mayor are well known, so are their agendas. Sometimes mayors run with a slate, or a team, who will vote with them to advance those agendas.

There is nothing wrong with that.

Our democratic system is based on a team or “party” system. But in the party system, we know where candidates belong, so we know which leader we are voting for. I know others who share my perception that in the past, candidates for city council positions haven’t always been up front about being part of a slate. In my opinion, all voters, not just insiders, should know about the slates.

When I vote for a candidate, I’d like to know if that vote is also for a mayor.

What’s to hide? Why be sneaky? So I’m asking candidates for council, if you are affiliated with Kerry, Scott or Walter, for crying out loud, let us know. Don’t be bashful about supporting your leader.

Trumpet it from the rooftops. Be proud! If you are an independent, be proud of that too, but whatever, let us know.

And voters, remember. One mayor plus three like-minded councillors equals a majority government.

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As I write this the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations are spreading. Judging from photographs of the events, protesters are a mixed bag, all ages and colours. Is this the beginning of a big-time protest against corporate rule? Will the young people and what used to be the middle class be angry enough to keep going?

Will faux terrorists and trouble makers infiltrate the peaceful demonstrations and provoke police action? Will governments pay attention?

Interesting times, to be sure.

Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.