Local group looks to help boost voter turnout

The newly-created North Bay Civic League is made up of members of various groups in the Gateway City whom are involved in issues ranging from the environment all the way to the arts. Their goal is to work together as a team to engage North Bay-ites in their local democracy.

“It’s a grass-roots thing,” Civic League Member, John Patterson said. “We’re just getting started.”

Recent municipal elections have seen North Bay’s voter turnout dip to about the 40% mark, that’s something the Civic League wants to see make an upswing. One way they plan on doing so, is by asking the public to take part in a survey which asks what issues are most important to them in this coming election.

“I’m kind of seeing it as a bit of a snowball effect,” Patterson said. “Hopefully we’ll get a thousand or so people engaged in the first survey.”

Patterson said once the results from the first survey are in, the Civic League will present them to Council to give them a better understanding on what the people want.

“That’s what we’re hoping…that people in the community can feel like they have a voice.” Patterson said.

You can take part in the survey at www.northbaycivicleague.org. They encourage as many people to take part in it because they are offering a $75 gift certificate to Average Joe’s for one of the survey takers.