This year’s town and school elections are right around the corner with Election Day landing on March 13.
In the days between now and then, we hope you’ll listen to candidates speak, read their words, and hey, this is New Hampshire call them up and ask them what they think about the issues that concern you.
Take knowledge to the polls, we urge you to make your vote an informed one. If people have made the effort to offer their time for public service, we owe them, at the very least, enough interest to pay attention to their words and if their words fail to add up to anything specific, to go back and ask more questions.
Then make an educated decision when you cast your ballot. There’s no excuse for not knowing your candidates for local office. After all they’re your neighbors.
And while you’re at it, pay attention to the warrant articles that face you whether it’s the school budget or a request for funding for roadwork or protecting your wetlands, purchasing conservation land, building a fire station or a school reconstruction project.
Town and school requests should be handled the way you handle your checkbook if can you afford it? Is it a necessity or a luxury? Is it something you can put off, or is that a false economy that will cost even more later on?
This year’s election has attracted, a choice among candidates, so make your vote an informed choice. If people have made the effort to offer their time for public service, we owe them, at the very least, enough interest to pay attention to their words and if their words are platitudes and generalities, to demand answers to the tough questions.
The March Election Day has no state or national candidates on the ballot. That’s traditionally bad news for voter turnout, a particularly sad situation when you consider that you have far more impact on local government than you ever will on the state or federal level.
It’s time to read up on the candidates and make up your mind on how you will vote to get on the path to a better and more affordable tomorrow.
Voting takes little time, and it makes you part of a tradition going back to the founding of this country. There’s not a much better way to express your patriotism than by heading to the polls.
Your participation benefits both you and your town.
So we issue a reminder: Election Day is March 13. For your own good and that of your community, please take the time to study the candidates and warrant articles, then go out and VOTE!