So many elections in so many parts of our world recently: England, the Big Apple, Toronto, British Columbia, Alberta again. Many municipalities, provinces, nations, hither and yon. To be quite repetitive, we NOTLers are so fortunate to live in an area where “somehow, we seem to get along.”

This was the theme of the late, erudite Ken Dryden’s thought-provoking book “Becoming Canada,” published in 2010. Canadians have arrived here from many parts of the world. Different values, different religions, so diverse in so many ways. “Back home,” our ancestors may be hating each other, but here in Canada, in most cases we find a way to live together and move forward.

This might be a good place to take our hats off to each and every person who threw their hat in the ring and ran for political office in our town. There are only so many spots available, but in my rambling opinion, there are no losers.

Yes, there may unfortunately have been some cross and unfair words uttered, but somehow we muddled through and a new town council is in place.

Like previous councils, they will do their best.

Allow me to ponder about the cost of our democracy. And the mechanics of putting the elections together. I used to plan events, and it’s difficult. So many components dependant on enthusiastic and intelligent helpers to present a meticulously planned event once or perhaps twice a year.

The cost of municipal and other elections is enormous but, in my opinion, worth every penny. Canada is envied around the world, and we take our election processes for granted.

On election day earlier this week, I looked around the main room at our relatively new NOTL Community Centre, and saw a miracle had again unfolded. And this scene was repeating itself in municipalities across Ontario.

Here in NOTL, some 58 people working at the polling station. They have all been trained and prepared for voting day, and were all so darned helpful and efficient.

Old-fashioned as I am, I have never voted in an advance poll. What if a candidate says or does something really inappropriate or dumb after the date of the advance poll, but before the actual election day? I understand I have to get with the program, or risk getting totally left behind.

And the whole concept of online voting deserves a few words. Old-fashioned me again, but I actually look forward to going to the voting place, and “casting my ballot.” The updated and accurate voter rolls are yet another miracle, and from there we are directed to select a desk with a big piece of cardboard placed to provide a secret ballot.

Here, I have to ask how the election meisters manage to print so many classy ballots. Not on cheap paper stock, but on full colour card stock. The cost, and then the complicated logistics of delivering so many ballots to so many polling stations. How is this possible? And where do they store the vote counting machines?

I went over my ballot with a fine-tooth comb, and it seems that each and every name was spelled accurately. Listed in alphabetical order, which seems a bit unfair, but so be it.

And still, in the year 2026, we have two parallel school boards? Costly, and a dilution of talent in a province with so few people.

Am I the only NOTLer who wonders about this stuff? It just seems to happen, but the planning and logistics for each election must be ginormous. We can only attempt to imagine the costs. Millions.

And we have just had another example of the electorate spanking a political leader who calls a snap election. Out in B.C., now-former premier David Eby thought he could pull a fast one when his NDP party seemed to be firmly in control.

To strike off in another direction, l wish I had a better understanding of the U.S. midterm elections. What are they? Why are they? What do they accomplish? It seems to be very complicated, with so much money involved.

Perhaps it would be better for Ross the Rambler to stay local, and hope for success at the local Royal Canadian Legion on King Street. Branch 124 has been missed by many of us since the devastating flooding, and their leaders have been “fighting the good fight” to reopen.

Hear me again. “Vote here and votez ici.”

This year again, many of us local folks made the effort to exercise our patriotic right to help control our futures.

Thank you. Merci. Be kind. Soit gentil.