I believe there are several good reasons. First there is community focus. Folks are returning from holidays and getting ready for harvest activities or a return to school. Civic politics only matters to a few residents and the news media in August.
A second reason for delaying any declaration of candidacy is economy. Election campaigns are expensive, especially if they are self-financed as mine will be. A candidate wants to get the biggest bang for the buck as close to the actual election as possible. Candidates for office must register on September 20 and the election is not until October 18! That still leaves more than a month to capture the public's attention. And that month is when the community will focus on the civic election.
Yes, it's all about timing! A month still leaves ample time to plaster the city with posters, promotions, and platforms.
