The past few weeks I’ve been compiling the election questionnaires you see in this week’s edition. It’s no small task to obtain contact information for all candidates, craft the questionnaires for different local races, send them to everyone, send reminders asking people to fill them out, and edit them. Despite the tedious work, it’s something I enjoy doing because it gives me the chance to learn about those running for office in Pierce County. My only wish is that everyone filled them out. For reasons unknown, some people just don’t respond.
I also believe it’s important to publish the ones from uncontested candidates as well. I hear so much that people don’t know what’s going on in their own municipality, school district, etc. Oftentimes, they blame the municipality or school district when in fact, all the information they’re seeking is available to the public. If you can’t find something, simply ask. Attend a board or committee meeting when you can. Read the Journal (ahem). Attend candidate forums. Reach out to those you elect and ask questions. Search their website if they have one. I guarantee there’s a lot there and if it’s not, ask why not.
The Journal partnered with the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce to host a forum for Ellsworth Village Board candidates last Thursday. One candidate informed us ahead of time that he couldn’t attend and sent in his answers. That was much appreciated. The other two pulled out a couple hours before the forum began, leaving us in a bit of a bind. Luckily, a write-in candidate who registered that morning participated in the forum. She was the lone participant, but I was grateful that all the hard work put into the forum didn’t go completely to waste. It was disappointing that the two backed out last minute to say the least. They passed up an opportunity for voters to learn more about them.
Serving as an elected official is no easy task. While I haven’t done it myself, I have witnessed enough board and city council meetings to know what they go through. It takes an incredible amount of work (studying documents, reading, listening to presentations, collecting public feedback) and time. Thank you to those of you who serve or are running for office. It’s not for the faint of heart.
After this election is over, I hope more people appreciate how much local government bodies affect their daily lives. Without them, we wouldn’t have good roads, access to multiple county services such as land conservation, human services, veterans services, UW Extension, a jail to house people who commit crimes and much more; our schools would have no direction or strategic plan, which would affect student learning, building maintenance and operations. For those who live in town, sewer, water and stormwater systems wouldn’t exist.
Most people who run for office do so because they care deeply about their community. The next time you’re angry about your property taxes, instead of finding your (mis)information on social media and dragging local elected officials through the mud, really dig into the reasons behind everything. Seek to learn, listen and understand; don’t just wait for your turn to speak. We don’t have to be a society that slings mud, accusations and harmful rhetoric.
