More than 150 people have put their names on the line as candidates for public office this fall.

Friday, August 20, 1999

More than 150 people have put their names on the line as candidates for public office this fall. In one school district, there are 13 candidates for four open seats.

It goes without saying that county and city voters have a chance to make their feelings known this November. They will be able to pick who will lead their village council, city or school board into a new millennium.

And, to make that choice, of course, they have to register to vote and then take their opinion to the ballot box on Election Day.

Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to sign up to vote.

But, when Lawrence County elections are this contested, there is a tendency for races to get a little heated – a little too focused on politics and not enough on the issues that the communities care about.

The direction of the November campaign will be determined by how the candidates conduct themselves as they begin to tell us why they should represent us.

If voters refuse to listen to – or be swayed by – personal attacks and political patronage, this county will get a set of leaders who will have a defined direction of where our communities and schools need to go during the next century.

Votes should not be wasted on a candidate whose only stand is a political one or whose ideas are not his own, but a reflection of powerful friends.

That kind of cowardice and irresponsibility will not help this community move forward, and it is up to local voters to make sure those hopefuls stay out of office.

Lawrence County needs real ideas and officeholders who understand what an honor it is to represent their community.

And as the campaign begins, county voters should refuse to accept anything less.