Cambridge election confusion

I became a Cambridge resident ratepayer almost a year ago so have been taking an interest in civic matters and more so in the past weeks as elections loom.

Frankly I am confused, as Cambridge is governed much differently than any of the six municipalities I have paid rates to previously.

Most ratepayers expect their Council to take an active interest in things such as roads, rubbish and provision of good quality water, waste and storm water and once those things are sorted to look after social matters as the budget allows.

This is the only Council I have known that has no interest in rubbish collection or disposal and is only vaguely aware of what happens to recyclables.

Nor does this Council believe in fluoridated water, something I have not experienced in 40 years, and I, my children and grandchildren, have teeth that prove the benefit.

I was astonished to learn that only a week ago Council gave the floor to an antifluoride campaigner whose IQ junk science was endorsed by at least two councillors.

Frankly when it comes to IQ, I am happy to rely on the almost unanimous advice of health and dental professionals.

When I inquired as to why Council has wiped its hands of governing both rubbish and fluoride, I was told that some time ago the community was polled and Council is merely doing what the community wanted.

The question must then be why do we need to elect about 30 councillors and community board members.

Surely we could make a saving if we used social media.

When I elect someone to represent me, I want them to make decisions on my behalf. I choose carefully looking for experience and wisdom.

I then decided to find out who the candidates were who wanted my vote for the 10 vacancies on offer.

There are 16 individuals, five of them wanting me to elect them to two roles which suggests to me that getting a salary is their top wish. The big bombshell is that five of the 16 don’t actually live in Cambridge.

The term carpetbagger springs to mind.

I know none of them so can’t gauge their ability, but I do really expect that the people I vote for drink the same water and worry if the same rubbish truck is going to show up next Thursday.

So, my challenge to the 16 hopefuls is to advise me of just how they would vote, if given the chance, on the issues of rubbish, fluoride and any other matters they think may sway me.

Those non-residents may also like to identify their place of residence. MURRAY REID (Abridged)

Cambridge