Like our nation, our city is a democracy that needs the participation of the people to be a success.
That participation is especially needed now as the community begins a local election cycle. It is time for citizens who are concerned about their city and school district to take a step toward being more involved by running for public office.
In Fort Dodge, voters will choose a mayor and six of the seven City Council members. So far, only Mayor Matt Bemrich and councilmembers Kim Alstott, Terry Moehnke and Lydia Schuur have filed nominating petitions to run again. There is plenty of room on the ballot for more candidates. The deadline for filing nominating petitions is 5 p.m. Thursday.
In the Fort Dodge Community School District, three seats on the Board of Education will be filled by the voters. Nominating petitions can be filed between Aug. 23 and Sept. 16.
The general election for both city and school races will be held Nov. 2.
If more than two candidates get on the ballot for mayor or any of the City Council seats, a primary election will be held on Oct. 5. The top two vote-getters in a primary race would advance to the general election.
We encourage anyone who thinks they have something to contribute to the community to run for office.
Yes, being an elected official is hard work. And yes, elected officials regularly have to deal with people who are mad about everything from potholes to taxes.
But elected officials have the ability to shape the future direction of their communities and their schools for decades to come. It is an ability that only those of us fortunate enough to live in a democracy can hope to have.
Now is the time for community-minded folks to take on the challenge of running for elected office so that they can have a hand in guiding our city and schools.
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