Thinking of running for council this October? Figure you can do a better job of helping to run this town than the current stock of elected leaders? You might be right! But how will people ever know it? How could you possibly let Jasper know just how smart and in-touch you are? How will you win the election? Oh dear, what possible solution could there be?

IT’S EASY. USE THE MEDIA. 

That’s right. The Fitzhugh!

When dealing with any sort of elected government, there’s no better way of getting your message across than conducting an interview in the local newspaper. That’s why I’m inviting anyone in town who thinks they have a hope in hell of winning a seat on Jasper Town Council to come in to our offices, sit down with me, drink some coffee and go over why you think you’d be best to help run this town’s government. 

We’ll run the answers in an upcoming issue of the Fitzhugh and the people of this town will be able to decide if they like the cut of your jib.

The questions will be relatively simple, yet profound. Describe your governing philosophy (gin-soaked Trotskyite popinjay vs. cape-adorned Ayn Rand-worshipping super-capitalist). What are some of the major issues that you believe Jasper is facing (when are we getting more land-use powers)? What’s your opinion of Parks Canada’s stewardship over the town (benevolent nanny state or an all powerful dictatorship)? How good a job do you think the current crop of councilors is doing in running the town? What have they done right? What have they done wrong? How would you be different?

Because I’m certainly the furthest thing possible from a genius, there’s no way I could think up all the appropriate questions for our elected officials. So, all Jasperites who are not running for council, I ask you to help me. Submit questions (reporter@fitzhugh.ca or 780-852-4888) that you would like to see your potential local government members answer, and I’ll put them to the candidates.

Furthermore, we at the Fitzhugh think your current councillors should have similar questions put to them and will be submitting to them a questionnaire for publication in an upcoming issue of the paper. If the potential candidates have to answer for themselves, then the incumbents should too. Council can be a pretty taxing job, but hopefully councillors will be able to fill the questionnaire out and you’ll see their answers in the Fitzhugh as well.

Democracies function on the free flow of information. 

Engaged citizens making full and complete decisions need information to make those decisions properly. A good newspaper is supposed to be a wonderful and important source of that information.

So, potential candidates and incumbents, do your part; talk to the Fitzhugh and strengthen democracy in Jasper. We all look forward to your answers.

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writers own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.