PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1984, WHITBY FREE PRESS whitby wi Voice of County Town iblished every Wednesday sýU Michael Ian Burgess, Publisher - Managing Editor The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. By M.B.M. PUBLISHING and Photography Inc. Phone 668-6111 The Free Press Building, 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. --.Bx26 W lbOt RgraonN.35 MICHAEL J. KNELL Community Editor Second Clans Mail Registration No.535I Tuesday is election day, we don't care 1 - à b Who you vot Next Tuesday is election day. At 8 a.m. the polils wll open and the time wili have come for all Canadians, no matter where they live, to excercise the ultimate authority in a free, democratic society., Here in Whitby, which Is part of the federal elec- toral district of Ontario, we are faced with a par- ticularly difficult choice. All three of the men who have been nominated by their respective parties would make an excellent member of the House of Commons. On a larger scale, the three men who lead Canada's three major political parties all appear to have what it takes to be Prime Minister. When faced with three competant choices, the task of choosing our Member of Parliament becomes that much more difficult. Over the course of the last 60 days or so, voters have been swamped with all kinds of information concerning not only their Individual candidates but with statements of party platform as well. While we agree with the comments made by some members of the national media that this campaign has become a conflict between personalities in- stead of a debate on issues we would also remark that the character of the man would be Prime Minister or even our local member should also be e for, just get a consideration when going to the ballot box. The question of "what manner of man is he?" is aiso important. Here In Ontario Riding, we have to choose bet- ween three men. We have been spared, for- tunately, the rantings and ravings of the so-called fringe parties. The first man up for consideration Is the Progressive Conservative incumbent Scott Fen- nell. He has been our MP for f ive years. Many have accused him of having a lacklustre or even un- distingulshed career in the House of Commons. We would remind all voters that it is difficult to become a shining light in national affairs when one is a backbencher sitting in opposition. This newspaper has always found him to be quietly competent in the discharge of his duties. Also out to win our hearts, minds and votes is Liberal Party candidate Gary Herrema. As Durham Regional Chairman, he has done a top notch job. He has displayed leadership coupled with political insight and the determination to get the job done and done well. His efforts as chairman cannot, even if he loses next Tuesday, go un- noticed. Making his third try for our seat in the House of Commons is the New Democratic Party's Geoff out and vote Rison. We believe him.to be a man of compassion, a man with a genuine concern for this natibn and its people and a firm vision of the kind of country he thinks Canada should be. t is not for this newspaper to endorse any of these three gentlemen. But we want to encourage, even demand, that every citizen of voting age make a choice, go to his or her neighbourhood polling station and cast his or her ballot. This newspaper belleves that voting is the most important duty of the citizen. The citizen deter- mines what manner of nation will have through the government that he.or she elects. It Is the foundation, the corner stone of our society. Without the ballot box Canada would quickly fall into a state of anarchy. It is up to the people of Canada to determine their own fate. The party we elect to office will only carry out the program we decide to im- plement. Every vote counts. in this age of economic uncertainty and political instability, the vote is a vote for good government, peace and isecurity. This newspaper doesn't care who you vote for, but we care whether or not yoù vote. Please, get out and vote. AIl of Canada awaits your decision. A vote is too important a thing to waste. qL