I wouldn’t speak for every part of Northumberland County, but I can say that communities including Port Hope, Cobourg and Alnwick/Haldimand Township have experienced a more “different” election than ever before.
These are my thoughts, and my thoughts alone.
People can, and should, choose whoever they want to represent them. That is their right, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
But it would be nice if, once the votes have been counted and the results are in, whoever gets elected is welcomed and given the opportunity to do the job they were chosen to do.
The people have made their choice. Whether you agree with that choice or not, that is democracy, and that is how it is supposed to work.
You may not like the outcome. You may disagree with the person who wins. You may have preferred someone else.
But, bluntly put, suck it up and move on.
Democracy doesn’t mean everyone gets the person they want. It means the people get to decide who represents them.
There will never be 100 per cent support for any elected official. That is a fact of life. Criticism is part of the job, and holding elected officials accountable is important. But there is also a time to put the election behind us and allow those elected to get on with the business of representing the community.
And lastly, if you don’t vote, don’t complain. It really is that simple. If you choose not to have your say when given the opportunity, it is difficult to justify complaining about the outcome afterward.
Come Monday, the people will have made their choices. Some will be happy, some will be disappointed, and others will still be shaking their heads.
That’s democracy.
It’s time to accept the results, respect the process and move forward. Our communities are bigger than any one candidate, any one political disagreement or any one election.
We may not all agree, but we all have to live here together.
And that, in my opinion, is worth remembering.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
