General voting day looms large on the horizon, and the last advance voting opportunity is not twelve hours away, Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Centennial Hall. During my canvassing expeditions this week I've met several folks who have already voted (some even voted for me!) and many who profess to be following the election race closely. Many voters have remarked not only on the number of candidates, but on the large proportion of new and unfamiliar candidates. They're taking time to try to learn about everyone and make informed decisions about whom to vote for. It's great to witness such a high level of engagement.
I fervently hope that all voters will mark their ballots thoughtfully and courageously. Among the names on the ballots are some tremendously skilled, smart, energetic people, people who would bring a wealth of relevant experience and wisdom to city council. For my part, I'm voting only for people whom I believe will bring not just experience, but commitment to learning and evolving, open-mindedness, curiosity, and humility. Those qualities, I believe, are what allow a person to relate experiences laterally and to apply knowledge and understanding to new challenges. They are vitally important for councilors at all levels of experience. They're vital for the new folks jumping headfirst into their first term, having to learn the ropes and be full participants on council at the same time, and they're vital for the veterans asked to respond to both new and familiar challenges in innovative, forward-thinking ways.
I would love to be part of a council in which everyone is committed to learning together and learning from one another. Not only could such a council do great things for Kimberley, but it would have fun in the process.
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