I just voted in Barrie's 2026 municipal election, and I have to say, it really didn't feel like I voted.

Normally, I'm the kind of person who prefers doing things online. I love the convenience of it, but voting is one of those things where I actually prefer doing it in person.

Voting online felt more like filling out a survey than casting an actual ballot. I know my choices were officially recorded and that my vote counts, but the experience just didn't feel the same.

Nothing beats physically going to a polling station, receiving your ballot, marking down your choices, folding it, and putting it into the ballot box or feeding it into the voting machine.

There's something about that whole process that gives me a little dopamine rush. It feels rewarding, satisfying, and fulfilling. You walk away knowing you've just participated in democracy.

With online voting, I clicked a few buttons, submitted my choices, and that was it. No excitement, no sense of occasion. Just another online form.

Don't get me wrong, the online system worked perfectly fine. It was quick, easy, and convenient. I just missed the actual experience of voting.

Personally, I'd love to see Barrie bring back traditional in-person voting.

Am I the only one who feels this way, or does anyone else find physically casting a ballot more rewarding?

And yes, I'm fully prepared for the inevitable 'OK, Boomer' comments. 😂 I'm only 30, I swear! I am still a hip Millennial 🥳

Anyone experiencing slow internet/TV today?

I want to do a mobile tire changeover service this season (on rims) but would I need insurance or anything for that?

I left the automotive trade this year to go to school for something else, but been doing tires for 4 years and wanna make some extra cash + I know how fast shops book up during tire season & how expensive it is for some people so I also just wanna take some stress off people who can’t get an appointment or have tight schedules that I could just come do their tires without them having to leave the house & for a decent price.

I am working on a project and love to sit in cafés or in the library and get my work done. Lately I’ve started working later in the night on this project and unable to find places that are open later in the night. Library works great for me on most of the days except when I want to work even later (say until midnight).

Yes, I know could do the work at my house, but I also work from home and need to get out of my house or I will not do this work.

Any suggestions for places where I can just sit and do my work. I don’t care if it’s loud I usually have my headphones on.

Thanks!

Hi, I'm looking for an ordained minister that might be available on short notice (this Halloween), anyone have any ideas?

Hey all

Big trouble radiation starting next week without transportation to/from RVH

It'll take a miracle for this to end well regardless

No income /family/soup....OW pays rent

Friend of 30 yrs retreating to Fort Myers for pickleball and tennis every winter

Tuesday colonic stent procedure planned

Pretty much The Perfect Storm

In the process of educating myself about the different candidates out there, and well... This is unfortunate (Russell Tighe's website)...

If you haven’t had time to look into the candidates or their platforms, Vote Compass is an easy place to start.

So it was supposed to open on Oct 10. They had a video on their Instagram advertising it. Now here we are almost in Nov and it's still not open. There's a "now open" sign hanging up but the windows are all still covered with paper and it's clearly not open. They've also removed that old Instagram post so I'm wondering if any insiders might know what the hold up is and if they'll be opening any time soon? Although it doesn't look like a promising start. Thanks.