LOCAL government elections are just three months away so community-minded citizens interested in running for council should start planning in the next few weeks.

Nominations for the October 27 ballot close on September 25.

We get to make a judgment on the performance of our nine councillors. But first there have to be candidates to give us a choice.

At the 2008 election, only 19 candidates sought our vote, continuing a downward trend in election nominations. The 2003 election attracted a record 48 nominations, but the number dwindled to 26 in 2005.

The downturn is not unique to Moonee Valley, leading to a recent Municipal Association of Victoria campaign seeking more candidates. Our council has publicly supported MAV's initiative.

Councillors receive an annual remuneration of $26,188 for out-of-pocket expenses. But it's a tough gig.

If you are interested in serving the community and consider yourself passionate, motivated and committed, the MAV says you should think about nominating.

Road to be fixed, finally

The weather two weekends ago may have been kind enough to enable the council belatedly to repair the damage to Buckley Street, east and west of Hoffmans Road, after drainage work was completed in April.

Not before time, but don't blame the council.

Heavy-handed VicRoads management would allow it to resurface the busy road only at weekends.

The council programmed the work with the asphalt companies, but extreme weather during the past month led to its postponement.

Grudgingly, VicRoads had authorised work to be done during this week's school holidays in the event of last weekend being another washout.

Motorists accepted extensive traffic delays during the three months of drainage works and wouldn't have had an issue with another couple of days' delay to repair the road.

But VicRoads knows better, so weekends became the only option, two months later.

Meanwhile, the road gurus have added a 60km/h sign between the 40 and 70km/h zones heading west so that drivers have to contend with three speed limits in the space of one kilometre.

The roads authority is a disgrace.

Bulb changed belatedly

Quite difficult to get VicRoads to change a light bulb, too.

A North Essendon reader rang the roads authority four times in seven weeks to report a lighting issue on the dangerous pedestrian crossing at Mt Alexander Road and Leake Street, Essendon.

It outsourced the work to Jemena, then to Atlas, and the light bulb was changed last Tuesday.

But how many engineers does it take to effectively change a light bulb?

The crossing remained dark until more engineers returned the next day.

The reader is contemplating installing oil lighting next time. Certainly safer for the pedestrians.

The final word ...

A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.