Commentary; Posted: 3/5/03

Elections a chance for opinions, difference

Cliff Buchan
News Editor
There are very few days that go by that we donít hear some kind of grumbling about how a city, a county, a school district or a township is operated. Everyone can be a critic it seems and sometimes justifiably so.

All too often people feel powerless. But it doesnít have to be that way.

Citizens in the Forest Lake area have a golden opportunity to make their opinions count on Tuesday, March 11. March 11 is township election day and spirited contests will be on the ballot in Linwood, Columbus and Wyoming townships.

On only rare exceptions are township elections high profile events. As often as not, most town residents pay little attention to township government affairs. Thatís a sad statement but often true in this area.

And that is exactly why each vote is important in a town election. In a contest that may see a small vote total, each vote can be precious in deciding a contest for a town board member or a town officer.

Elsewhere in this issue readers will find detailed information on candidates running for office in the three communities. We encourage residents of each township to educate themselves on the candidates and exercise their power at the ballot box March 11.

This newspaperís general policy is to not run political endorsement letters in the week preceding an election. Weíve waived that policy in the past when special circumstances dictate and so it is with this election.

With three key elections up on March 11, weíve extended readers an extra opportunity to make their case for the candidates of their choice. We hope this in turn will help generate more interest in voting and taking part in the annual meetings that follow the closing of the voting precincts.

For area residents who feel as a single voter they can do little, think again. Every vote is important in every election, but in the township election process, one vote can make a world of difference. ó Cliff Buchan

Top of Page