October 16, 2002

To Vot

Erin Culhane

Opinions Editor
The saying goes, “If you don’t vote, you
ut the way I figure it, if

 
 

can’t complain.”
you do vote, you |

municipal
east of the

  

rcent in 799. I
¢ Ridge, 26.8 percent voted in 96
ercent in 799. And

dgmental observati

   
  
   
 
   
 

   

men

Mea toed TIMES, Armstrong has
views about the voting process, particularly
“Of all the elections
that you vote in, municipal and school
board elections are the ones that affect your
day-to-day life the most,” he said, adding,
“It involves how neighbourhoods are
planned, schools are funded and run, and it

at the municipal level.

directly affects our quality of life.”

The newspaper is running a campaign to
get people out to vote in the November 16
school and municipal elections. If you stop
by the office—if you happen to be east of
the Pitt River Bridge—I’m sure they'd give
you a snappy yellow button bearing this
message: “Vote. It’s your right. It’s your
responsibility.” ’'ve got one myself, and this
time I plan to vote.

“If everybody votes, then special interest
groups cant highjack the election,” said
Armstrong. “There’s always going to be cer-
tain sectors dissatisfied, but we have to
make sure we elect the best people.”

Going to the polls can produce more than
just marks on the ballot, but interesting sto-
ries as well. Like when I almost voted in the

last federal election.
With half-an-hour to spare, I arrived at

  
    
 
         
  
 
   

WP ° over each aeweway slightly I
sted tc

 

   
  
  
 
  

of the woman’s voice. It

pming from ne of the

 
   
  

like that.” she insisted. “Tt.

Aw crap, as if this lady w
a big deal about my bumpe
driveway space. “Well, you better call the
cops,” I said.

“T will,” she yelled.

  
 
 
 

have senate bicer to do then i at oe
ing violators out of your bedroom window?
Why don’t you go read your kid a story or
hump your husband, or something less
angry,” but I resisted, although that conver-
sation would have made a far more enter-
taining story.

I got inside the door of the school and was
instantly in the long line of people waiting
to cast their votes. It was going to be a
while. What to do? I was pretty sure that
the police weren't going to answer the neu-
rotic’s call for help, but could I be certain
that she wouldn’t slash my tires, or call a
tow truck?

So I bailed. And that, my friends is the
story of someone who's never taken voting
all that seriously.

On November 16, I’m all over that ballot.
And maybe I'll park right in someone’s
driveway—no, on their front lawn, and
have some wicked stories to share post-elec-
tion.

Happy voting.

MAILBAG RE: Mailbag by Heather Barnes

 

Heather: Good to raise the issue with you. The “Dougie Day-care” only takes care of chil-
dren below the age of five. Single mothers of school age children have to pick up their
children in the middle of the afternoon and cart them off to a day-care that is off cam-
pus. It would be great if all children were mature by the age of five, but sadly that’s not
the way it works. They are still children—and we do not have day-care in the absolute
sense. So, I reiterate: DSU get on this. There are a large group of single mothers taking

classes here.
Tom Mellish
PS. Thanks for the invitation to take a nap in the student lounge. Good to know that

there is a place to relax after doing midterms, kick off the shoes, and take a cat nap.
For more info check out http://www.douglas.bc.ca/daycare/

© page 6

Oy VM Ae) LTN Ls)

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All the winne
work
at the OP

 

Trev (Bukowski) and friend caught off campus