Editor: As a candidate with modest means, running a campaign for a seat on the Township council has been a challenge. A large part of any campaign is run on the 3 M's; money, manpower and marketing. Signage in a campaign encompasses all three of these aspects. Money to buy them, manpower to put them up and marketing to get our names out there. Many of the candidates are also doing these 3 M's on their own.
Like you, I too am overwhelmed by the amount of signs in our beautiful town. And as a resident and a candidate it is a conflicting feeling. I need them up so you know my name, but man, it's ugly out there. Part of the democratic process of voting is allowing candidates to campaign. And although annoying and ugly, it is a necessary process that needs to be exercised.
The signs are only up for 20 days every three years. It's not a long time, just an intense time. Some of us do not have many signs, in fact, any we have go unnoticed due to the overkill of others.
People chronically complain that they don't know who to vote for, or what our platforms are. Signs with my name on it alert you to the fact that I exist as a candidate and that I have a message for you.
So when my signs go missing, are knocked down or thrown in the street, it is costing me time away from talking to you, money from my own pocket and a message I am trying to get out. All candidates are experiencing this, but unfortunately the impact on some candidates is greater as they have so few signs to begin with.
I ask members of the public to please tolerate this short process and not remove, throw, damage signs or turn a blind eye to those who do. And parents, please talk to your kids.
Misty vanPopta,
candidate for councillor, Langley Township