Local elections

Open seats on area school boards, city councils and boards of aldermen are drawing attention to public office. The filing periods for candidates seeking office has opened with a flurry of activity.

Two seats on the Cape Girardeau City Council already have drawn enough candidates that a primary could be necessary in April with a special election in June. The filing period closes Jan. 18 to fill the seats for wards 3 and 4.

School boards in nearly every community throughout Southeast Missouri will have open seats come April.

Four of the seven seats on Cape Girardeau's school board are up for election. Jackson and Scott City each have three openings. Candidate filing for all local school boards runs through Jan. 18, with a holiday break in between.

Local elected officials don't file for office to make money. The stipends for school board and council members are nominal considering all the time and effort these elected officials spend learning about pay plans, budgets and general operations.

Most of the region's school board members and elected city officials tend to think they're making their communities better places because of their service.

And we would agree.

Their work requires dedication, drive and a determination to serve. Not everyone is suited for such responsibility, but those who do serve should be acknowledged for their work.