Today, the people of Scotland will decide whether or not to remain part of the UK. Here's a handy and fun background video for those of us not up on the particulars of that situation.
Monday, the people of New Brunswick will decide whether or not to give the Conservatives another chance.
Sometimes people ask me what it's like to be on Town Council. I'm never quite sure how to answer that question, but as these two ballot questions approach I can say it's just like deciding how to vote on those issues.
At Council, we have a certain number of items on the agenda. We consider the issues and inevitably, we vote for or against, according to our own logic.
Because we all see the world through slightly different eyes, we have different priorities and different justifications for voting the way we do. But the end of the line comes down to YES or NO, and not choosing is still a choice that means the majority vote rules.
So, whether it's local issues or an independence referendum, somebody has to decide. And as the handy Scotland video concludes, nobody really knows if they're doing the right thing, because the consequences are in the future.
The tricky part is, some people start to assume that when you get behind a council desk (or Premier's desk, or wherever), that you suddenly have a magic wand and a crystal ball. Any reasonable adult knows this is not the case.
So, like the Scots voting today and the New Brunswickers voting on Monday, being in local politics is a lot like being in that ballot box and trying to make the best decision you can, based on an unknown future.
Trying to predict the future and make adequate decisions is not for the faint of heart. There are no guarantees.
Wishing you best of luck and peace of mind in your upcoming vote.
