For more than two decades, the Concerned Citizens of the Burlington Area have hosted a Meet the Candidates forum before each election.

These events are just as important for Lawrence County’s voters to attend as it is important for the candidates to attend.

Information is one of the most valuable tools a voter can have, and there is no better way to get that information than straight from the candidates’ mouths.

Voting is a great civic responsibility, which should not be taken lightly. The people who get to the polls on election day ultimately decide who is going to take care of the county, state and country. But they can’t be expected, nor should they attempt, to choose those candidates blindly.

The Concerned Citizens have invited candidates on this year’s ballot to speak to voters at 6 p.m. Thursday at Burlington Elementary School. Although the CCB focuses its civic efforts on the Burlington area, this forum greatly benefits people from all of Lawrence County.

We encourage as many people as possible to attend the forum to meet each candidate and to develop informed opinions as to who they believe can best represent Lawrence County.