Municpal elections matter to students

Not all elections are about high-profile leaders, national televised debates and high priced glitzy ad campaigns. Some elections are about your neighbours, the public transit you ride everyday and the city you live in.

Even though the issues surrounding the November 13 municipal elections are not creating a buzz around campus, like the Federal Election did this past January, the stakes are still high for Fanshawe students during this campaign.

The people who win the race will debate, and ultimately make decisions about, policing in and around Fleming Drive, Northgate and various other highly concentrated student housing areas. The winners will also decide if alcohol-fueled fines will quadruple in price, when your garbage will be picked up, when the bus will pick you up and even how many strip clubs will be allowed in the city.

If you are 18-years-old, a resident of London (and this includes renters) and able to work a pen, you should vote next week. As a resident you are eligible to vote for mayor, ward councillor (Fanshawe College is in Ward 3), Board of Control (most votes becomes deputy mayor, the next three top spots become controllers) and various school board trustees.

If you received a letter from the city way back at the beginning of the school year that asked you to confirm your voter eligibility and you paid no attention, you still have a chance to vote. On the day of the election you can stop by a polling station and get on the voters list. Go to http://www.london.ca/voterlist/ to see if you are on the City of London's 2006 voters list.

The closest polling station for ward 3 voters is the Stronach Community Centre, 1221 Sanford Street, just on the other side of Cheapside St. To make sure what polling station you should be voting at have your address ready and go to http://www.london.ca/ and click on “Where do I vote?” Polling stations are open until 8 p.m. on November 13, which gives you lots of time to get there.

The winners of this election will be representing the city of London for the next four years, which is probably longer than you will be in school, but the majority of Fanshawe grads stay in the city after they graduate.