If you wait too long, it'll be too late

Do you see something in your community that needs fixing? Is there an issue you feel is being neglected by the local municipal council? Want to help out your fellow residents? Be the change you want to see?

There's a multitude of reasons to consider running for public office. And while municipal elections in the province are still two months away (the official date is Sept. 29), now is the time to start thinking about what you can do for your community.

Make a list of what you'd like to see happen or change in your community and what you can do to bring about these ideas to fruition. Bam. Your election platform has just been written. All you need to do is get out there and start shaking hands and spreading the word about your visions for the future.

It would be fantastic to see a slew of both experienced and new candidates running. And let's see more female candidates; young people with fresh ideas; and older people with a wealth of knowledge coming forward. Come on! If you think you can fit the bill as a councillor, then you should seriously consider running for public office.

New and opposing viewpoints spark debate, which in the long run, helps to spurn change within the community. And there's not much use in seeing a problem or potential crisis and doing nothing about it. You need to take a stand and let your thoughts and opinions be known. Who knows? Maybe there are a lot of other people out there that would agree with you.

Don't fret if you don't think you have enough time to run. Nomination dates are Sept. 1 to 8 (Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 if you plan on running for public office in St. John's). That's a full month to prepare your thoughts and plan of action.

Of course, there are some basic rules set out in the province's Municipal Elections Act as to who can be nominated as a candidate for a municipal councillor. These include not being in arrears of taxes or other charges owed to the municipality in which one wants to serve; has been a resident of at least 30 days before the nomination period.

Visit the Department of Municipal Affairs website, www.ma.gov.nl.ca/ma, to check out more on the Municipal Elections Act and other important information. Likewise, call the department or your local town office for more details relating to the upcoming election.

Let's make this year's municipal elections vibrant and exciting. Once that happens, we're more likely to see positive change and growth in our communities and our region.

Sir Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, 'No part of the education of a politician is more indispensable than the fighting of elections.' Now get out there and let's hear what you have to say!