It's the final two weeks of campaigning before the October 20th municipal election campaign. Voting actually began Saturday. Registered voters can now vote online or by phone and so far over 6,000 residents have done so, about 2% of the eligible voters. The early voting, which hopefully will see voter turnout boosted, continues until the 18th.
There have been many more mayoral debates this election than previously. Add another one to the list this afternoon. I'll be hosting the three top contenders for the job on my News 95.7 radio show from 3 until 4pm. Mike Savage, Tom Martin and Fred Connors will be in the studio to debate some of the issues facing our city today, from crime to transportation. Hope you can join us.
Mike Savage still refuses to reveal his campaign donors and is accusing challenger Tom Martin of playing politics with the issue. Martin challenged all the mayoral candidates to release their donors list before the October 20th vote. All but Savage agreed. Savage says they all agreed to abide by the law when they entered this race and the law doesn't require the donors list be public until 60 days after the election. He says he'll reveal his list then. Martin has released his list. He's raised just over $48,000 from 24 donors including a $19,677 contributed from his own pocket. Candidate Steve Mackie says he's received no campaign contributions and applauds Martin's effort for more openness and accountibility. He urges the front-runner to "Man up, Savage."
A despicable incident in Springhill over the weekend. A 45 year old man broke into the home of an elderly woman and sexually assaulted her during the crime. Police made an arrest a few hours later and a Halifax man originally from Springhill will be in court tomorrow on charges of forcible confinement, sexual assault and break and enter. Police say the victim is doing okay. I can imagine the reaction of the other inmates once this fellow's name becomes public.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
