To the editor,
This letter is in regards to the disqualification of David Wood of South Bruce from the municipal election.
Wood had his nomination papers filed in May. It would only seem reasonable and legal to have these papers looked over by the person in charge of accepting them and filing them for the election standards at the time they were delivered.
Small errors can be overlooked if papers are scanned in a hurry, but one would assume the papers would be scrutinized very closely when time is close to deadline, at least a few days in advance, not the day before or day of deadline.
In Wood’s situation, he had presented all his paperwork to the officer in May and it was assumed all was in order for his paperwork too. Then on the last day, Wood was informed he had a couple of errors on a paper and had only a limited time to correct this. It has been stated Wood got the errors corrected in sufficient time and all was set to go. Then a short time later he received a call from a person at the municipal office telling him he was disqualified. This is the second time this has happened to him.
What kind of system do we have going?
Why can’t these papers be checked over a few days or a week earlier to make sure all is in order and give the nominated person a fair chance to rectify any mistakes that are found? This would be fair!
Many citizens of Mildmay have read or heard about this situation and are not pleased with these actions.
As taxpayers of this municipality, we feel like we have a right to voice our opinions and decide who we vote for in our town. We are always reminded to get out and vote – it’s our duty.
It is our tax dollars that pay for this municipality to prosper and grow, and we want it to be a great place as it has always been.
We are not pleased with the way this situation was handled – does not seem proper in respect – almost to the point of being biased.
If many of our former mayors and councillors who have passed on, but who served our town and did a great job over the years, were here to see this way of handling things, they would not be so pleased or impressed.
It is our hope that this situation can be rectified in some way, never to occur again. We find it disappointing to have things like this happen in our town.
Bonnie Rehkopf
On behalf of concerned citizens and taxpayers of South Bruce
