Manic Monday | The Choice is Yours...

Voting is something that should be taken seriously. Sadly, as the numbers show, many people don't take the time to participate in the election process. This is true not just of Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections, but many other opportunities that present themselves where individuals have a chance to cast a ballot.

There are two elections happening this October. Of course, it is hard to miss the fact that there is a Federal Election taking place on October 21st, however, there is also a less well-known election happening in which a new TOTA Board of Directors will be elected by an online voting process by eligible stakeholders from every corner of the Thompson Okanagan.

In both cases, it is important to remember that it is not easy to let your name stand. Whether a polished politician or a business stakeholder ready to get more involved in their industry, it can be very challenging to put your name out there. It takes a commitment, passion, and desire to put in long, often thankless, hours of work knowing that there will always be strong opinions that support and reject your ideas. I applaud each and every individual for having the strength of character to commit to the process, dedicate their time and believe in their own ability to make a difference.

So now it is our turn. Time to research, understand the issues and set "politics" aside in order to make decisions that you believe are the best, based on the information at hand. This October, I hope you will take the time to participate. It is up to each of us to engage in the privilege of voting. The choice is yours...

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO