Every four years, the Township of Madawaska Valley must elect a new municipal council to serve its local needs. Last night, both candidates for mayor and all ten candidates seeking one of the four council seats met face to face with well over 200 local voters. Organized by the Madawaska Valley Public library and moderated by Sean Conway much was said and undoubtedly many voting decisions were considered, if not taken.

One of the great legendary characters of the Upper Ottawa Valley, Dr. Martin J. Maloney was not only a much-loved local physician from 1898 to 1953, he was both a stellar member of the federal Parliament from 1925 to 1935 and the father of Ontario's first Ombudsman and the Ontario cabinet minister who laid the corner stone at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry's Bay. His granddaughter, Julie Maloney and Sean Conway told all about Dr. Maloney's life and times to the Bromley Historical Society last Sunday.

Given that all of Ontario goes to the polls this month to elect a new roster of municipal politicians to govern local jurisdiction for another four years, it's time to talk local democracy. And who better to explain all the ins and outs of local politics than The Local host, Sean Conway, as he engages in a wide-ranging discussion with Michael Johnson, a former chief administrative officer for Renfrew County. What's up for discussion? Everything from why social media and artificial intelligence are now prickly local issues to what's happening to your local property taxes as market value assessment comes back into full force.