OP-ED - Local issues matter- don’t let others decide for you

I recently reread this post dated November 10, 2014:

“Just 36.4 percent of the voting-eligible population cast ballots as of last Tuesday, continuing a steady decline in midterm voter participation that has spanned several decades. The results are dismal, but not surprising — participation has been dropping since the 1964 election, when voter turnout was at nearly 49 percent.”

If the author found those numbers alarming, I wonder how he or she would feel about a typical Smithtown voter turnout of 23% to 24% of the voter eligible population.

We live in a town of vibrant, hard working individuals that take pride in their properties and businesses. My friends include entrepreneurs, professionals, middle and upper management and just plain old-fashioned hard workers. I can’t understand why people who care so much in all those avenues of life show such apathy when it comes to voting and who manages our local government services.

I understand that the sheer number of votes in a national election can make you feel like your vote is meaningless, however, when it comes to local elections, your vote is much more significant. Combined with the fact that local elections determine your immediate quality of life, it seems almost foolish to leave these decisions in the hands of so few.

I write this in part because I am running for Town Council this year; a good turnout ensures that whoever is elected receives a clear mandate from the people of Smithtown. I also hope that the voters will make the effort to learn where each candidate stands on the issues that are most important to them.

Please find a way to vote. Don’t let weather or a late night in the office deter you from what will ultimately affect the way you and future generations of our town live.

Local issues matter- don’t let others decide for you.

Larry Vetter

Larry Vetter is a Democratic candidate for Smithtown Town Council.