Choosing to run

While most folks have holiday shopping, parties and family celebrations on their minds right now, some are deciding whether or not they should file as candidates for the city and school elections that will be held early next year. In the next few weeks, the future elected leadership of municipal government and our school systems will be set. Someone among those choosing to run will be elected, which makes the voters' choices important to just about everyone.

Equally important is the decision to run for office. For some current officeholders, the decision will be whether or not to run again. Several incumbents have already filed. And some newcomers to elected office have added their names as candidates.

To run for office is to fulfill a special civic duty. It takes an interest in how cities and schools are run -- plus a willingness to be applauded for good decisions and criticized for bad ones -- to become a candidate.

This choice cannot be made casually. Individuals who put their names on ballots are making a commitment to the time it takes to be a good city official or school board member. These candidates also must become knowledgeable about the intricacies of government budgets, taxation and state and federal funding as well as meeting the needs of constituents.

It is an honor to be chosen by voters to serve as an elected city or school official, but it is a demanding responsibility that requires a devotion to the best interests of all.

Those who choose to become candidates deserve our thanks, appreciation and support. Their invaluable investment in the democratic process by which government operates comes at great personal cost. We urge all the candidates to share their ideas and plans in the coming weeks, and we wish them all the best in the coming city and school elections.