This week, the much talked about Regional Collaboration Study will host a Feb. 23 workshop in Westlock.
The event is an opportunity for residents to both have their say and contribute to the study’s findings on which areas the three regional municipalities — that being the Town of Westlock, Westlock County and the Village of Clyde — can share their resources and services.
Originally, we published a story stating the workshops would be held in three different locations — one in Clyde, one in Jarvie and one in the Town of Westlock between Feb. 15 and 16. However, due to a combination of low attendance numbers and a scheduling issue with a dinner, the three were merged into one.
The lack of interest can be seen in two different ways.
Perhaps residents of the region are content with the job the municipal councils are doing.
After all, we elect politicians to make decisions for us, so when they do, people rarely go out of their way to pat a politician on the back and tell them what a great job they did and how happy they are that everything is running great.
However, the less desirable possibility is that we are witnessing a case of voter apathy.
More often than not, people usually come out in droves when they are upset or confused, not when they think something is a great idea.
Leaders in all three municipalities have stated the importance of public consultation on this so many times we are almost sure they repeat it in their sleep, and they’re right.
The decisions that arise out of this study will affect residents of all three communities for years to come and it would be a good idea if us citizens had an opinion.
Lots of people will just stay at home if they are OK with the status quo or they can’t be bothered to form an opinion.
Yet, they are often happy to lambast government decisions with a “Well, they didn’t ask me!” when they are broadsided with a new policy.
This time the government is asking you.
If people want to be taken seriously when it matters to them, they have a responsibility to speak up when the opportunity is presented to them.
It is a classic rule that if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain.
