Burd report provides some useful tools

Former politician and local commentator Ben Burd is providing some really good resources online to help people vote.
He is giving his usual commentary in the Burd Report gives his unique perspective around candidates and various politics in Cobourg. With this, he created an interesting chart called opinion page with a running commentary, bios, and "how it's going'". He is tracking public presence at the moment.
The concern Burd raises about profile is very important. Rookie candidates seem to be slow coming out of the gate. That should not mean the candidate is weak, but what they have not done is break through the public's consciousness. Certainly, going door to door is a major part of any municipal campaign and a vital one. Often called "retail politics" it is seen by many as critical in making the personal connection that gets people's vote.
Yet, in modern politics, particularly with media coverage, having a strong public face is also critical. The best example is Belinda Stronach. While she dropped out of the leadership race for the Liberal Party of Canada, Stronach kept a very public profile over the race. And, while many candidates could not get national press, she was all over front pages and in columns.
Local candidates should take a page from her strategy. Until they break through the public consciousness, either through signage, media coverage, whisper campaigns, water cooler talk, whatever, they are at a disadvantage. This is why so many incumbents win: the name is recognizable.
It is fall. A good time for Burd watching.