Municipal Monitor - January/February 2008 - (Page 7)

apathy has prevailed and voter turnout has suffered. What’s the solution? For a number of reasons, political and otherwise, I don’t think that there is going to be any interest in moving away from having fixed election dates at either the provincial or municipal level. So the question becomes how to get and keep voters interested throughout the preelection period so that they turn up at the polls. I’m not sure what could be changed about the provincial election process other than to suggest to the parties that they rethink the timing of their pre-election announcements so that the most appealing ideas are released closer to the actual election day. I would hope this would make more voters sit up and take notice AACI and CRA Designated Appraisers combine their knowledge, as the fixed election day approaches. analytical skills, experience and integrity to deliver an independent Similarly, I would recommend that and professional opinion you can trust. incumbent and aspiring municipal politicians consider delaying the launch • Lending • Legal Disputes • Investment Decisions • Damage Claims of their campaigns to a date closer • Asset Review • Expropriations • Matrimonial Disputes • Tax Assessments to the actual voting day. To aid with • Reserve Fund Studies • Estate Planning • Expert Witness this approach, it is also my opinion that consideration should be given to Preparing for PSAB’s New Standards? pushing the date on which potential A key component of Tangible Capital Assets is real property – buildings and land. candidates for the municipal election Appraisal consulting and valuation can help you in your preparations can register and start campaigning to to meet the new standards. a date closer to voting day. Working within a shorter campaign period, all To locate an appraiser for your specific needs, the candidates would need to genercall us or visit www.aicanada.ca/e/findappraiser_find.cfm ate voter interest and excitement over a tighter timeframe which I believe Ontario Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada would attract more public interest and Tel 416-695-9333 • 1-888-303-2574 attention. This idea is not without its E-mail: info@oaaic.on.ca www.oaaic.on.ca downside, however, since at a minimum, concerns about campaign fundPROFESSIONAL OPINIONS • TRUSTED VALUES raising periods and the advantages that incumbents have over aspiring candidates would need to be 354426_Appraisal.indd 1 11/7/07 10:57:08 AM addressed. When you consider that the politicians in many municipalities currently hold office based on the results of the votes cast by significantly less than 50% of the eligible voters in the community, it’s hard to argue that the views of Council are truly representative of the overall community. Anything that will increase voter interest and turnout should at least be considered. ◆ REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL & CONSULTING January/February 2008 municipal MONITOR • 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Municipal Monitor - January/February 2008

Municipal Monitor - January/February 2008 Contents President’s Message: Recognizing Achievement Viewpoint: Increasing Voter Turnout Building Bridges The Municipal Buddy System Harnessing the Wind Water Under the Bridge Municipal Memos Index to Advertisers

Municipal Monitor - January/February 2008

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