As voters headed to the polls on election day Monday, parking was on the mind of at least one northeast London resident.
In Ward 3, where candidates have been promising to tackle housing, traffic and busing issues, resident Christina Iarusso said she hopes the next council will look into something that bothers her: too many cars for the spots in her neighbourhood.
London City Hall. Photo by: Curtis Stokman
“My neighbours have eight people living in one house with no parking for their cars,” said Iarusso Monday, after voting at the Stronach Arena and Community Centre.
At the arena, a steady stream of Ward 3 residents arrived during lunch break and between errands to cast their vote.
“I paid people shoveling my driveway last winter and they had no where to park. There is a school down my street where people park, they should have a no parking sign,” said Iarusso, who said she’s lived in London since 1964.
She also stated that she called the city four times about a broken light outside her house that flickered till it was finally fixed.
Other voters said they hoped to see improvements in a number of issues, including policing and social services.
“Living alone, it’s hard finding someone to help clean and take care of me,” said Glen Lake, 91.
Lake is hoping to see less construction in Ward 3, while resident, Ted Williams said city council should look at “cost of living.”
Williams added he wants to see the city to become more open on opinions from the average taxpayer.
Does your vote matter?
With the advanced polling the city estimates that the percentage will jump 27 per cent compared to the last municipal election, when London hit a historic low with only 25 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot.
Voting sign outside of Stronach Arena (Credit: Daniel Thuss XFM news)
Those at the polls were asked if they believe their vote matters.
“I would like to think so,” said Lake.
“No, I’m one guy and many people won’t have the same opinion as me,” said Williams.
Another voter who declined to state his name said he thinks his vote does matter, and said he thinks people should take the time to vote for the person they believe is right for the job.
But not everyone agreed.
“I don’t know. It feels like the city does what they want, I almost didn’t come to vote,” Iarusso stated.
-With files from Georgia Chambers and Benjamin McFadden
