Once again residents have the chance to let local politicians know what they think of them when we return to the polls next Monday to elect the councillors who will represent us for the next four years. Sadly, mistakenly, not many people will make the most of the chance.

Typically, the public greets the opportunity to cast a ballot in a municipal election with indifference, ignoring the fact that those chosen will have the most direct impact on our everyday lives.

Sometimes it's difficult to ascertain whether it is cynicism or apathy that plagues voter turnout for municipal elections. Whatever the reason, a change of attitude is needed because it is essential that we exercise our democratic rights on Monday. While it may require taking some time to make an educated choice, voting is hardly a labour-intensive effort. It's also our civic duty.

What may make the task so daunting is the sheer number of candidates in this election. While choice is a good thing it can also make deciding a challenge. During the campaign, The Scarborough Mirror has attended all-candidates meetings and has studied the candidates. We have also chronicled the incumbents in the past term and have determined who we believe is best suited to represent Scarborough at city hall. We don't presume to tell you how to vote - that's your choice alone - but we do hope to provide a little more insight leading up to Nov. 13, to wit:

In Ward 35 (Scarborough Southwest), we endorse Adrian Heaps. There are 13 candidates running for the open council seat in this ward, which was held for years by Gerry Altobello until his resignation in the spring to become a justice of the peace. Heaps ran a solid second to Altobello in the 2003 municipal election, and he is on top of local issues including development plans in the Warden Avenue area.

In Ward 36 (Scarborough Southwest), we endorse Brian Ashton. Ashton has served the ward, Scarborough and the city well in his long career as a councillor. Even though the city's Expo 2015 bid ultimately failed, Ashton did excellent work on the project.

In Ward 37 (Scarborough Centre), we endorse Michael Thompson. Though he has been a controversial councillor since first being elected in 2003, Thompson has done good work in the ward and made the issue of community safety an impossible one for other councillors and the mayor to avoid.

In Ward 38 (Scarborough Centre), we endorse Glenn De Baeremaeker. First elected in 2003, De Baeremaeker has been a strong advocate on local and citywide issues.

In Ward 39 (Scarborough-Agincourt), we endorse Mike Del Grande. Also first elected in 2003, defeating 15-year incumbent Sherene Shaw, Del Grande has worked hard on ward issues such as marijuana grow houses and rooming houses. However, he has been no stranger to controversy. He put his foot in his mouth with a regrettable comment about white people leaving the riding. If Del Grande takes a few moments to think about the impact of what he says, and controls his temper, he will be a much more effective councillor.

In Ward 40 (Scarborough-Agincourt), we endorse Norm Kelly. Over the past three years, Kelly has made a much greater effort to be more involved as a councillor both in the ward and at city hall.

In Ward 41 (Scarborough-Rouge River), we endorse Chin Lee. There are 10 candidates running for the open council seat in this ward, which was held by Bas Balkissoon for many years before he was elected MPP for the area. We're endorsing Lee for his long history in the community, including helping to form SHAFT - Scarborough Homeowners Alliance for Fair Taxes - with Balkissoon back in the 1980s, and his record of involvement.

In Ward 42 (Scarborough-Rouge River), we endorse Mohammed Ather. This seat has been held by incumbent councillor Raymond Cho since 1991, but it is absolutely time for a change in this ward and Ather is the best candidate. There are many reasons why it is time for Cho to move on, but his actions in July when he left council shortly before the final vote on a controversial council pay hike was about to take place was the last straw. Cho said he had to leave to organize pizza for a community meeting. If he had stayed and voted against the pay hike, as he said he intended, it would have lost and councillors would not have their nine per cent raise. His failure to realize the importance of the vote, or his attempt to avoid the controversy, are reason enough not to return him to office.

In Ward 43 (Scarborough East), we endorse Abdul Patel. There are seven candidates running for this open council seat, which had been held by David Soknacki. Patel will be a good choice for the ward and should be able to put his experience as Ontario Human Rights Commissioner to good use at council. Also running in this ward is Paul Ainslie, who served as caretaker councillor in Ward 41 after Balkissoon left. Though there is no law preventing Ainslie from running for council in Ward 43, we feel he broke the spirit of his agreement not to run in Ward 41 after being appointed caretaker councillor.

In Ward 44 (Scarborough East), we endorse Richard Ross. There are eight candidates running for this open council seat which was held for the past term by Gay Cowbourne, who is not seeking re-election. Running this year is former 15-year ward councillor Ron Moeser, who was narrowly defeated by Cowbourne in 2003. It is time for a real change in this ward. Both Ross, and candidate Donald Blair are good choices in this ward. However, we see Ross, a longtime resident and business owner in the community, as the candidate best in tune with residents' deep concerns over development and loss of open spaces.