As campaign manager, part of my job is to make sure our candidate doesn't miss any significant events and that organizers know how to reach the campaign.

But so far during this campaign I've had this nagging feeling that we were missing events. Why? Because there are NO all candidate forums anywhere in Clarington where the general public could ask questions directly. Not organized by residents associations, not by business groups, not by the media.

The only event was the Rogers TV debate, but even then the logistics of setting up a televised debate for a live audience were too much on short notice. And strangely, most of the questions from viewers had little to do with Clarington, looking instead at issues like the proposed ethanol plant in Oshawa.

Is anybody out there paying attention?

Actually, yes. The high schools. So far Holy Trinity (Courtice) and Clarke (Newcastle) have hosted debates for their grade 10 civics classes. Clarington Central (Bowmanville) is hosting one Wednesday. Thank you teachers! That grade 10 Civics course is turning out to be quite relevant to daily life.

A former Prime Minister with a short career once remarked that elections are not the right time to discuss serious issues (likely misquoted). I'd like to turn that one around: this election is too important to not discuss the big issues.

Sadly, it seems the only people who care can't vote yet.