Well it may have been described by many commentators as a “boring” election campaign but the result is anything but.

Even people who are not really interested in politics were glued to their television sets on Saturday night to await who would be the next prime minister.

But as the night wore on it became clearer a winner would not be known for at least a few days, if not weeks.

The next day, as sunlight broke, so did the news a handful of independent politicians could suddenly have the power to dictate who would rule the country.

By Monday it was realised the extent of this power was even stronger than originally thought.

If these four key players (three independents and one Green) look ahead to the next election they will try and strike a deal which will benefit their electorate and ensure their re-election when Australia goes to the polls again in three years.

Imagine if the people of Grey had elected an independent. That person could have asked for the money desperately needed to fix Yorke Peninsula’s roads, amongst other things.

However there were no independents running in the seat of Grey and the margin only increased to the Liberal Party so it is once again considered a safe seat.

So whilst a cloud is hanging over the future of who will run our country, the skies are definitely clear over Grey and it seems if it does rain it will be raining Liberal.

Amie Brokenshire, Editor

The bubble has been burst in Dr Kym’s grand marketing plan of advertising his business with a large, inflatable dog on the verandah roof of his veterinary clinic.

Despite a petition with more than 400 signatures the District Council of the Copper Coast has put its foot down as the proper channels were not taken to seek permission for the dog and it does not conform to council’s development plan.

Whilst the marketing ploy was very clever — almost everyone who drives around in Kadina now knows where the business is — there are some justifications as to why the dog should not be allowed.

It is a distraction, especially to drivers who are approaching a stop sign. Secondly there is the chance that in bad weather the inflatable dog could be blown off the roof and into the path of an ongoing car; however, with the appropriate guy ropes this is unlikely to happen.

At least on the verandah roof, the inflatable dog is out of the way.

Other means of advertising, including A frame signs, along with tables and chairs and for sale tables, provide much more of an obstruction to people trying to negotiate local footpaths, especially with prams and gophers.

Businesses pay rates and have a right to advertise but council also has to implement certain restrictions so the main street doesn’t become an advertising circus.

Council has a development plan for a reason and must follow its rules and limitations.

If council did a scout around town it might find other businesses which are non-compliant with some of the outdoor advertising stipulations.

Amie Brokenshire, Editor

This year really has been the year of the election. First it was Rann v Redmond, now it’s Gillard v Abbott and in November you can vote in the local council elections.

If there is one where your vote really will make a difference it’s in these council elections.

Local government is the grassroots of it all and, whilst the lowest tier of government, it is councils that actually spend money on local projects and make changes we can see in the community.

Whilst councils don’t have the same amount of money to spend as state and federal governments, the money they do have is generated by you, the ratepayers.

So if you want to see the money spent wisely, you need to be involved in the election process.

We are lucky to live in a democratic country like Australia and need to exercise our rights to vote. In other places around the world the people don’t have a say and the self-elected hierarchy dictate how things are done.

Often people complain about their local council, the decisions they make or how long it takes get something approved.

If you think you can add some vigour why not nominate as an elected member yourself? Although the pay isn’t great it is a good way of being involved and making decisions that affect your community.

Unofficially the year of the election, officially it is the Year of Women in Local Government.

With fewer than 27 per cent of all councillors in South Australia being female, the LGA is particularly pushing for women to nominate.

The theme for this year’s local government election is “your neighbourhood means the world to you”.

Whilst it’s the federal election currently in the spotlight if your neighbourhood is important to you make sure you are actively involved in the 2010 council elections.

Then in 2011, you can have a rest from all this voting and election jazz!

Amie Brokenshire, Editor