I was talking to a friend the other night and she brought up the fact a mutual acquaintance told her that she was not sure she could run in November’s municipal election because it was much harder to run in Abbotsford’s upcoming municipal election than in past years.

Fortunately I had been online to my favourite webzine, which had a story highlighting this matter, and had followed the link to read the questionable piece of writing calling upon Abbotsford council to make it much harder for “fringe” candidates to run. I was able to share that no changes had yet been made to the requirements to file and run in this year’s city elections.

While reading this anti-democratic call, I did wonder just what central committee or Orwellian big brother gets to decide what or who is “fringe”?

I was left pondering the actual purpose or motives behind a call for making it harder for “fringe” candidates to run. Making it harder for “fringe” candidates also clearly makes it harder for anyone to run, a fact conveniently ignored in the call to limit candidates and voter’s choices for city council. Rather a nice boon for current city councillors, would it not be?

Who no doubt find it daunting to be seeking re-election at a time so many citizens have questions and concerns about council’s sense of priorities, decision making, the fact that decisions are made behind closed doors excluding public scrutiny, financial management ability, etc; at a time people want a voice in the decisions, the direction the city takes and the vision that shapes the future; when citizens are engaged in local politics, motivated to participate and highly motivated to get out and vote.

One can understand why some members of Abbotsford City Council might like to make it much, much harder for “fringe” candidates to run thus making it much, much harder for all other candidates to run. The temptation to reduce the number of people who can run against you and thus protect oneself from defeat is understandable.

Just as understandable is the fact that seeking to protect oneself from answering to the voters by limiting their choice in who to vote for is totally unacceptable behaviour.

Democracy can survive a few fringe candidates since it thrives where anyone and everyone, including the so-called “fringe”, has the right to stand up and be heard, Democracy does not exist where some central committee or council is deciding who can run.

Let us be democratic, keep the playing field level, let the citizens hear from all and leave the final decision about who is fit and proper to represent the citizens in the hands of the citizens.