I am at a loss to understand the recent "South Bruce Peninsula Candidates speak" feature in the October 2006 edition of the Sauble Bulletin which was distributed with the Wiarton Echo of September 27th. Cliff Bilyea proactively gave a platform to all currently running candidates for the Nov. 13th election. As the compiler, Kim Wagner, stated "The Sauble Bulletin has decided to publish the responses it did receive". In addition, "no provided answers have been edited."

So, free press for the candidates! Wow, what an opportunity for voters to see who can directly answer specific questions, evaluate the answers given, and judge which candidates can stay focussed or have a tendancy to wander off topic to their own agenda.

But what is disturbing, is the noted absence of two candidates for mayor, and the candidates for councillor. We see way more of their names on the side of the road than in print answering questions. Now all I can deduct is that these missing candidates are elusive, slow to respond or can't respond to specific questions, perhaps don't want the public to know their real agenda or opinions, or simply don't care. Or are these candidates considering pulling out of the race because they can't keep up with the pace of questions being fired out?

We need a Mayor that will get things done, supported by a council that can respond either way to topics. What I see is a two page spread of worthy candidates. It's one thing to have visions and opinions, but given a free soapbox, don't be shy to express.

These absent candidates that "don't have time", or "won't answer because of any reason" are now off my list of candidates, and should be off other voter's ballots for consideration. Voters MUST be informed and I take my hat off to Cliff and his group for leading the way.

In summary, looking at the overall picture, those who responded for Mayor were Noble, Kastner, and Close. Ward 1 were Lamont and Woolvett. Ward 3 were Wunderlich, Fulford, and Husak.

MIA were Gary Michi and Gwen Gilbert, Ward 1 were Pat Varley and Art King, Ward 3 were Thom Noble and Ana Vukovic.