The world travel press has reported in recent days a snowman contest, at the Cedars and a open air swimwear and lingerie fashion show at Faraya. Such events capture the media's attention and consequentially potential visitor's attention, whether immediate or for future recall.

When it comes to Ehden, like certain Eurovision song contestant countries, it's "nul points," with no Ehden winter events. Winter for Ehden in the past four years has been a like a media blackout.

There has not been a Winter Ehdeniyat, since the winter months of 2004/2005, which was last organised by the Al Midan Society. The trend now seems to be for more short specific events, organised by the three most active secular charitable organisations in Zgharta Zawie, to be held at Christmas, with their own imprint. The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has unfortunately not stepped into their snowshoes to organise a much broader and longer winter event.

Since we started, News Digest, in 2004, and by the way 1862 articles and counting, we have reported on, commented on, and speculated on the spectre of a winter resort for Ehden, independent of what is on offer at Ehden's Al Midan. We have heard over the years many possible reasons, on and off the record - politics, environmental issues, finance, why such a resort has not even started.

Our Galleria contains many wonderful photographs of Ehden in winter, which rival those of other winter towns and villages in Lebanon. With the General Election almost upon us lets hope such an local issue will be on all candidate's manifestos.

Let us hear from you with other local issues you would like to be included in the local debate.

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Three of the most active secular charitable organisations in Zgharta Zawie held Christmas events this weekend.

The three, Al Midan Association, Jouzour Simon Boulos Foundation and the René Moawad Foundation all held their respective events - the opening of Christmas by the Lake, Bnachii - Christmas Party for disadvantage children, Mar Maroun Church, Zgharta - the opening of the Christmas Village, Mejdlaya.

We trust that the children who will visit the Lake and Village, including those who attended the Party, will be identical, enjoying both. It would be naive to deny that these organisations do not have family, and therefore in the Lebanese context, political connotations but we hope that some of children's older chaperons will bridge pre-conceived barriers and not think that this is Frangieh - Boulos - Moawad; 8th - 14th March - and hesitate to attend.

Christmas is the message of the baby Jesus, a time for the young, of hope, the future, of miracles. Let the old remember this Christmas as a time when the whole community united for the sake of the baby Jesus, which their children represent. So when times of polemics and rancor come upon us in the months ahead, even during Easter, let this Christmas be remembered.

These organisations and others can play a vital role, and indeed we say have a duty, to separate politics from social concerns. They can, as some do already, reach out beyond the bounds of the Caza, and show what Zghartawiens can contribute to the whole of Lebanese society. They are and can be an example to Zgharta Zawie and Lebanon.

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Although there have been in recent times two main candidate lists - headed by Former Ministers, Sleiman Tony Frangieh and Mrs. Nayla René Moawad respectively, for Zgharta Zawie in the General Elections, there have always been other candidates standing for election, the "also runs".

The reason for these "also runs" standing is a matter of conjecture. Whether it was to demonstrate their poltical stance at the time, to put down a marker for future elections, or to test and show the level of local support to others, are possible reasons. What is perhaps more pertinent to ask is why it seems that their standing was strange in itself, the implication being that their standing was futile, against the odds, when their defeat was certain. Should democracy be that certain ?

We believe that the unelected, whether on losing lists or "also runs", are the guardians of democracy, ensuring that the elected are answerable for their actions next time round. The electorate has the power of the ballot to judge the elected but without alternative candidates the electorate is powerless to change their representatives. The elected should fear the unelected.

The "also runs" have a role in democracy. They democractise democracy. At the ballot box all candidates are equal.

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The Lebanese Parliament will convene on Saturday, 27th September 2008 at 10.30 a.m. to debate and vote on the new electoral law. It seems whether the General Election will be held on the same day throughout Lebanon or on two days; and whether President's of Municipal Councils, who resign six months before the elction, can stand as an member of parliament, is still subject to debate.

Commemorators are suggesting that the debate is likely to go over to the following week.

Let us hear from you with your opinions concerning electoral reform - one day voting - caza constituencies - voting for men & women at 18 - restrictions for Municipal Council President's standing- overseas voting 2009/2013 contact@zgharta.com