Provincial election first in new riding for area voters
None of the above option sought
In the last federal election, in November 2015, a concerned
OSM citizen noted the lack of opportunities for local voters to see and hear the candidates, so she organized an information session, to which two of the four candidates showed up.
The Keene United Church Hall was filled with interested voters with a variety of questions. One person suggested there should be an option on the ballot for “None of the Above.”
At first I thought she was joking, but as I puzzle over what to do with my vote in the June 7 provincial election, I see the soundness of the idea. Particularly for the isolated voters north of Rice Lake, who went to bed one night in their familiar Peterborough Riding and woke up in a new riding called Northumberland-Peterborough South.
The residents of Otonabee-South Monaghan who work, play, shop, get medical attention, attend school and socialize in the City of Peterborough are now expected to travel an hour over unfamiliar roads to see their federal and provincial representatives, somewhere down in the 401 corridor.
Elections Ontario says you can decline a vote when you accept your ballot. The agent will write “declined” on it and keep it separate from the others. It is not a very discreet option. Anyone in the room could see your ballot go sideways and that you didn’t enter a voting booth.
Another option is to not vote at all, but then you could be lumped in with the lazy and unconcerned.
Another option is to take the ballot into the booth and make your dissatisfaction known in private. A spoiled ballot still sends a message to the powers-that-be. The ballots are cleverly designed to inhibit spoiling. The background is solid black and the candidates’ names are in white, but the circles next to their names are big enough to jot something like, PUT US, BACK IN, PTBO, RIDING!
Or you can fill them with sad faces.
Pilates
Pilates at Villiers Community Centre starts today (May 28) and runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for nine weeks until July 23. Registration is $88, but there is a dropin fee of $10 per class if you prefer pay-as-you-go. Call 705-295-6354 for more info.
Animation camp
Animation Summer Camp is for budding animators from 8 to 12 years old. It runs at Keene Library from July 2 to 6, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $100 per child. To register call 705-295-6814 or email keene_library@nexicom.net by June 22.
Scholarships
The deadline for OSM grads to apply for the Keene Lions Scholarship Award is July 1. Call 705295-6692 or ask at the guidance office.
John Weir journals
1919 Oct. 21, Tues.
Lovina and I went this forenoon to the Orange Hall and voted for McDonald, the Farmers Candidate for the Provincial Legislature and he was elected by a large majority.