What a difference four years can make.
Let’s park all the negative connotations of that statement for a second and focus on a positive instead – the much-increased participation, buy-in and overall engagement of the community for this month’s municipal elections.
I’ve already waxed lyrical about the increased number of candidates this time around, 57 across the four townships of Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills. Only one position has been filled via acclamation, with Karla MacKay running unopposed in Ward 1 in Algonquin Highlands. There were 12 uncontested races Countywide in 2022.
I’ve had conversations with most of the candidates, while conducting in-depth podcast interviews with mayoral hopefuls in Dysart et al and Algonquin Highlands. All in, I’ve been impressed with the level of knowledge on local issues and municipal processes from those who haven’t run before.
Those seeking re-election spoke with substance, for the most part, discussing their platforms, immediate priorities and how they’d achieve them.
There’s an understanding that this next four-year term is a pivotal one for every County resident. The possibility of amalgamation looms. The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) has completed an affordability and governance structure study for the County, advising that, due to the financial pressures of running five entities, there be some sort of merger in 2027.
For my first few years working here, there was almost a unanimous opposition to amalgamation. It was seen as a dirty word. Now, it’s being presented as the light at the end of the tunnel.
After covering all-candidates meetings in Algonquin Highlands and Dysart recently, I’m sensing a different approach. While most said there wasn’t enough information to make a final decision yet, there wasn’t the histrionics of four years ago. There was a willingness to walk the path, if it makes sense.
Maybe that’s a result of what these candidates are hearing. It was a full house at the Haliburton legion a few weeks ago for the Dysart debate. I spoke to a few people once things wrapped and it was 50/50 on whether amalgamation was the answer to our struggles.
I like that no candidate has centred their platform on trying to push one way over the other. That’s a process we all still need to learn more about.
A myriad of other issues have been raised – taking another look at short-term rental bylaws, finding ways to build more affordable housing, or how to keep up with expensive infrastructure fixes and enhancements.
Thanks to the Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project, all-candidates meetings from the four townships are available online. Between profiles run by TheHighlander, and the Echoand the Times, there’s more than enough out there for folks to make an informed decision.
Voter turnout was around 26 per cent four years ago. We’re already well on our way to beating that number, according to early polling data from the townships. As of Tuesday (Oct. 20), approximately 17 per cent of voters in Dysart had voted in advanced polls, with 15.27 per cent in Minden Hills, 10.49 per cent in Highlands East and 10.14 per cent in Algonquin Highlands.
All four townships are doing phone and internet voting, with Minden the only township running in-person polls on voting day Oct. 26.
Voting concludes at 8 p.m. on Monday, so if you haven’t already – get out there and do your civic duty. Your vote always matters, but this time especially so. The future of the Highlands community may depend on it.
