By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Focus Burlington found its footing at their Beyond the Ballot event earlier this month.
The attendance was decent given the weather. The next step is to look for candidates to run in the six city wards and and with some luck find a candidate for the office of Mayor.
In a note to the people who participated: Eric Stern, Stephen White said: “If you have ever considered running for office or know anyone who is interested, please join us on Thursday, February 26th, at Lions Hall at 7 pm to learn more about what’s involved.
In 2018, five of the people who were elected to office were first-time candidates. Two of the Council members had retired.
Change does happen. New leadership is out there – if you think you might be part of it – show up on the 25th.
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To those who through the Gazette forum continuously express dissatisfaction for the job done by the present crop of councilors & mayor; is it not time for you to put your money where your mouth is and seek election as a councilor or mayor.
Sorry Cheryl – far too old and I only look stupid.
This time around I think that we have to be more strategic in who we vote in.
It should be a time for residents to engage with their current ward councillor and the mayor to decide if they want them to continue as their representative (not because they are a nice person, but if they are or will be effective in representing you).
To date we have not been told who on the council plan to run for re-election or if any will step down.
I definitely feel that there needs to be some who step away or are not reelected.
However in 2018 when we elected 5 new councillors and mayor it presented a situation where those new councillors were dependent on others to make decisions that perhaps were not in the best interest of the residents, and if they had to do it over would have voted differently.
We should remember that it can take over a year for a new councillor to have the knowledge to do the job properly. A time when they have to make decisions.
When I say how important it is to get out and VOTE it is just as important to vote in the right person for the position.