Accept democracy

You might not like it, but majority has spoken

It’s possible that you might not like John Vassilaki or Toni Boot or Martin Johansen. You might not like that most of Penticton city council will be over the age of 60 or that Summerland council isn’t “pro-development” in the minds of many of the citizens.

But, the people have spoken.

I have met most of the candidates at least once. I certainly know of them. Some candidates I prefer more than others. That’s human nature.

As I sat like Captain James T. Kirk in our command central on Saturday night in The Kelowna Daily Courier’s newsroom, I thought the voting public was bang-on in many cases. Other times, the people I voted for didn’t mirror the final results.

Some very good people either lost or were not re-elected. It’s called democracy and I believe in it. If more people prefer a candidate over the other, that candidate is elected.

It can be frustrating, I’m sure, for those who put their heart into a campaign for 29 days and come up on the losing end. It’s even more discouraging when someone who makes a token effort — relying on name recognition — wins.

I’m disturbed by the number of people who, only moments after results were posted, began spewing venom on social media telling the world that a huge mistake has occurred.

Armageddon never happened. It didn’t rain on Sunday morning.

Politics in some ways is theatre. It’s entertainment. People become passionate, the same way they do for their favourite sports teams.

But, more than one candidate in the valley has reported incredible nastiness on social media. Once someone targets you, it’s difficult to do anything once it catches on.

Maureen Doer in Oliver told The Herald that some of what was said was vicious. Remember, attack the person’s ideas, not the person.

So, to all those whose candidates lost on Saturday, please be willing to give the ones who were elected by the majority a chance. They might even surprise you. And, for all those who are not convinced that one vote can make a difference, go ask the people in Peachland. Cindy Fortin lost the mayor’s chair by one vote.

—James Miller, Valley Editor