by Mike Robinson
“Good things, when short, are twice as good.” ~ Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Worldly Wisdom.
That same wisdom could be equally applied to candidate speeches for the coming municipal election.
One can either give the Minto Chamber of Commerce credit or simply see it as a sign of bravery for allowing each candidate 10 minutes on stage at a recent meeting in Harriston.
Fortunately most of the dozen or so candidates chose not to make the most of that offer – something many in the audience were grateful for.
While allowing such time is admirable, even with some shorter speeches, it left no time for a question period so residents could actually compare the responses of candidates to various issues. Those differences often make or break which way a vote is cast.
True enough, there was a chance to meet candidates individually following the speeches, but it’s not quite the same thing.
And for those who may have attended the first candidates meeting the week before, some of the speeches were a wash – almost word-for-word to the week before.
Others chose to refine their platform for the audience, providing new insights and ideas possibly as a result of meeting with residents and questions raised at the previous meeting.
One of the best parts was the chance to hear from those who had been unable to attend the last meeting.
But there are still some candidates who have been unable to attend either meeting – specifically from the school boards.
Providing the scorecard
It’s also been said, “You can’t tell the players without a program.”
That’s why it was somewhat refreshing to see the Wellington Advertiser helping out in that regard.
At the recent Minto all-candidates meeting, at least one resident was spotted holding copy of the paper’s candidate profiles coverage, with photos.
According to a fellow reporter, the same thing happened during the Belwood all candidates meeting for Centre Wellington.
Those profiles are still online at www.wellingtonadvertiser.com
