Congratulations to the elected. Shame on the “voters”.

Monday October 25th was the inaugural meeting of the newly elected Spruce Grove Council.

I would like to congratulate the winning candidates on their victories in the municipal election in Spruce Grove on October 18th.

I would like to wish, Louise Baxter, Searle Turton, Bill Kesenko, Wayne Rothe, Bill Steinberg and Jeff Acker all the best for the next three years.

Having said all that I cannot ignore the fact that voter turnout rate was only 22 percent for Spruce Grove. I was appalled.

Shame on YOU Spruce Grove!

I am not a political scientist nor historian but I don’t think a 22 percent voter turn out rate can sustain democracy.

Given the turnout one could argue that the election was not even legitimate. Even if we doubled the turnout rate it would still be 6% less than 50% of the eligible voters.

Maybe its time for mandatory voting like they have in Australia.

Maybe Spruce Grove should run a pilot election program in 2013 and add $50.00 to the property tax of anyone who does not vote, or some similar effort.

If this Mayor and Council really believe in Democracy they should really address this issue with some action.

I think this is a question we should ask them at the next council meeting.