Local Government elections are approaching, time to click open the pen and make a choice

An envelope arrived in my mailbox recently and as a product of the 21st century I was a bit taken aback. Letters usually mean a fresh debit card or that one of my relatives finally remembered it was my birthday. In this case, however, atop the left corner of the envelope the words “Local Government Elections” were printed and as a journalist I knew this would mean an end to my weekend plans. But looking past my indignation of a weekend lost and the fascination of receiving a letter, I realised the significance of the contents within that white envelope. On the list of names are people brave enough to represent the residents of their localities, and all the values of hometown patriotism, with a desire to help shape the direction of a city, town or shire. No one puts their hand up for a seat at local council (and the weight of responsibility it brings) lightly and their win or loss should not be concomitant with box ticking. Though the quick flick of ballpoint on paper is satisfyingly simple, it is paramount that those boxes ticked are done so decisively and personally. I could tell you not to make a bad choice, I could tell you who to choose, I could pester your decision-making process. I won’t do that, but I will tell you to make a choice, your choice, because every choice you make has a consequence you have to live with, and in this case a consequence your whole community has to live with. Don’t let that envelope hang there forgotten on a fridge magnet, or sit coffee stained and crestfallen on a dining table. Open it, click open the pen and make a choice — your choice.