A Stratford councillor has put his money where his mouth is.
Newly-elected Coun. Derek Smith pledged during the municipal campaign that, rather than spending any money on campaign signs, he would be donating a similar amount to a charity of choice, if elected.
Smith, a Ward 1 councillor, said he has donated $1,005.97 to the QEH Foundation.
Smith said he wanted to do an “unscientific experiment” during his campaign on whether political signs work.
He said the feedback from residents, especially younger ones, was that they did not like political signs.
“People said they clutter up the landscape and are a form of pollution,” said Smith. “I’m trying to set a trend for some of the other politicians to say, ‘we’re not going to put up political signs’ or to reduce political signs and advertise through social media or door-to-door.
“I don’t know if it had an effect on me winning but I think… it got me quite a few votes.”
