NEED WINTER TIRES?
35 Howard Avenue, ELMIRA, ON
519-669-3232
WE’VE GOT YOUR TIRES!
11 | 08 | 2018 VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 44
EDSS RUNNER PUTS UP SOME GOOD NUMBERS SPORTS PAGE 9
COMMENT PAGE 6
REMEMBERING LESSONS WE SHOULDN’T FORGET
www.OBSERVERXTRA.com ELECTION / AFTERMATH
Woolwich still assessing the impact of electronic voting Lack of races rather than technology seen as reason for lower turnout STEVE KANNON
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has been carrying out rotating strikes across the country for three weeks, with posties in the region getting the call Nov. 2. Local strike action included picketers outside the Elmira post office. [VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]
Elmira sees rotating postal strikes VERONICA REINER IF YOU NOTICED A slight delay in your mail delivery last week, that is because the Canadian Union Postal Workers (CUPW) rotating strike hit the Elmira location November 2. The picketers outside the Arthur Street facility were part of some 750 Canada Post employees taking part in protests in Waterloo Region. “The aim is we’re
trying to put pressure on Canada Post to return to the negotiating table and negotiate in good faith,” said local union president Steven Hinschberger. “That’s the first thing. It’s also to slow down mail that is moving within the system to try and put that pressure on Canada Post. “Because it costs the company money when they don’t meet their time commitments. So, in reality, we’re trying to hit
them in the bottom line to try and force them to come back to the table. Because they’re refusing to address any of our issues that we’re having.” The purpose of the rotating, rather than a collective strike, is to reduce the effect on the public while putting the heat on Canada Post specifically. “We’re trying to limit the impact on the Canadian people by not doing a
specific area for ten days,” said Hinschberger. “With the rotating, they do it at one location first, then a day or two later they go to a different location. They’re consistently moving around.” Their main concern is health and safety, specifically the overburdening of letter carriers. With cannabis becoming legal last month, STRIKE | 4
A LOWER VOTER TURNOUT for last month’s Woolwich election had more to do with limited voting options than with a shift to electronic voting, suggests township staff responsible for running the election. Voter turnout dropped to 31.3 per cent this down, down from 37 per cent in 2014 and 36 per cent in 2010. That number is higher, however, than 27 per cent seen in 2006 and 23 per cent in 2003. That the mayor’s position and both Ward 3 seats were filled by acclamation likely caused a drop, suggested Jeff Smith, the township’s deputy clerk, to councillors meeting Tuesday night. Though Woolwich’s first foray into electronic voting was marred by the
system bogging down on election day, October 22, staff determined the delay and subsequent decision to extend voting by 24 hours had little impact on the outcome. “Election research suggests neither the internet and telephone voting method nor the extension of the voting period had a significant impact on voter turnout,” he said in a report. “One of the biggest drivers of voter turnout is an electorate who is engaged with the issues and with the candidates. In the 2014 municipal election, Woolwich Township had 15 candidates running and only one acclamation, as well as two significant public issues. Staff do not believe it is surprising to see a decrease in voter ELECTION | 4