Civic election races are coming to a close throughout the Lower Mainland as voters head to the polls tomorrow (Saturday). Here in the Tri-Cities, the debates have been respectful and the advertising, if not always accurate or specific, was at least mostly positive.
In Surrey and Vancouver, politicians are engaging in big-bucks fear mongering, negative advertising and mudslinging, which, unfortunately, tends to work, albeit at the risk of alienating some voters. Of course, in those cities, there is more to lose, with major money involved and a larger population.
Contrast those cities with the Tri-Cities, where the politics is still genteel - at least outside of some behind-the-scenes rumour-mongering, heated Facebook posts and some sign issues, and politicians of all stripes should still be able to work together once voting is done.
We prefer the (so far) kinder, gentler politics of the Tri-Cities, and hope tomorrow's turnout will be higher than usual to prove that negative advertising isn't necessary for voter engagement.
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