Ah, the joy of a municipal election! The promises, the bashing, the lies, the sleazy

manoeuvres - there's far too much garbage to sort through to find real material for a good column.

As a journalist, I have the opportunity to interview every candidate running in the November 13 municipal election for Orangeville and Mono, and I wish residents of the two towns could do the same, because you get to see the candidate's personality much more than you will from reading a few quotes from them.

For example, some seem much more passionate than others, as some are running simply because someone told them to, and others because they have time on their hands. But there are actually some who think and who want to make a difference in the town.

I'm really not someone who likes it when politicians make promises, because, as we all know, they very rarely are kept. Some of the

newbees' running are trying to promise no tax increases. As someone who attends every council meeting, I say good luck to you, especially when these people complain about what's happened to some of the Town's services, you can't give people more without charging them more. But of course, that doesn't sound nice during a campaign.

There's also one candidate who I really despise and wish I could use his name to warn residents, but I have to be fair, so I can't. This man is the sleaziest person I have ever met and has no clue as to how to deal with the media. I think that in his strange mind he thinks he's winning me over.You're rude and invaded my bubble and I hope the residents can see through your BS and don't elect you.

With that said, there are candidates I hope do get in. Some of those are currently council members, while others have served on council in previous years and others are trying for the first time.

These candidates are the people who have a desire to make a difference and are interested in doing what's best for residents.

When interviewing candidates I was shocked at how little some of them had to say. I mean, this is your chance to reach out to residents whom you may not reach on your own. When the media calls, you should talk, and talk a lot, because it means they want to hear what you have to say.

It's not like I was asking stupid, yes-or-no questions, either. I was asking questions aimed at determining how much thought they have given to becoming a member of council.

With 23 candidates in Orangeville - four for mayor, two for deputy mayor and 17 for the five seats as councillor - you'd think that by now the town would be overrun by signs, but that hasn't happened - yet. Although some of the candidates have literally hundreds on lawns and boulevards, there's only a small percentage of the potential number out there and this portion already looks hideous.

Could you imagine what the town would look like if every candidate had even 50 signs posted? We could be called Signville.

Mono takes a much different approach to signs. There is no bylaw prohibiting the use of signs, but it is a long-standing tradition that candidates (particularly those seeking re-election) don't use signs, as they are viewed as visual pollution.

A suggestion

If you have questions you want the candidates to ask I would suggest attending the candidate meetings.

There's a meeting for the four Orangeville mayoral candidates this evening at the Legion, hosted by the Orangeville Kinsmen. It should start around 7:30. To confirm whether any seats are still available you should contact Doug Robinson at 416-250-1212, ext. 274 or 519-942- 0373.

The all-candidates meeting for Orangeville is set for next Wednesday, October 25, at the Orangeville District Secondary School cafetorium, starting at 7 p.m.

Mono will be holding theirs for the two mayoral and five council candidates next Monday, October 23, at the Monora Park Pavilion starting at 7 p.m.

Finally, I want to hear your thoughts on the candidates. Who's been knocking at your door? What have they been saying? What's your opinion of each candidate?

Let us know by sending an e-mail to mail@citizen.on.ca