Dear editor:

The Oct. 26 municipal election could decide whether Niagara-on-the-Lake stays the controversial course it has followed under the current council, or changes direction … for which there appears to be a strong desire.

Erwin Wiens is running for lord mayor, likely meaning that Gary Zalepa will not seek re-election. Mr. Wiens has served NOTL on council for years, for which we are all very appreciative.

At this point, our choices for lord mayor are Mr. Wiens, Vaughn Goettler and Andrea Kaiser. All are legitimate candidates with their own pros and cons. In my opinion, Mr. Wiens represents the status quo going forward while Mr. Goettler and Ms. Kaiser represent change.

As someone looking for change, I’m concerned that without broad-based community discussion to coalesce the “change” vote behind one candidate, a split vote will enable the “status quo” to prevail.

Perhaps Mr. Goettler and Ms. Kaiser might decide between them that only one stay in the race for lord mayor to face Mr. Wiens, and the other run for council. While that presents risk for both, likely no more than they face running against each other.

To reduce the chance of “status quo,” there can only be one clear candidate for “change.” Two is one too many.

Jim Stirling
St. Davids