OPINION
Your vote can impact the future!

All too often, smaller elections- like the upcoming special election in the City of Fountain for a councilmember position in Ward 1 and Ward 2- don’t enjoy much voter turnout. Either people decide its not that important or they are just too busy. Or maybe they think “my one little vote won’t count.”

Not true- and not good enough of an excuse, I say! It’s not only your civic duty to get out and vote next Tuesday (or sooner by absentee ballot.) Your vote can indeed influence the future of this place you and I both call home. History has shown us the difference one vote can make- including in past presidential elections. Granted, only voters in Ward 1 can select from those candidates, and voters in Ward 2 will chose the new councilmember for their district, but no matter- anyone who casts a vote will influence the outcome of the election and thereby- the future of this beautiful place we call home!

As our city grows and deals with all of the issues that come with it- infrastructure needs, emergency personnel staffing and ensuring they have the equipment they need for emergencies, ensuring we will have enough water, keeping utility costs as low as possible, etc—we need the best qualified people possible leading the way on our city council.

In this issue, you will find a candidate profile feature in which we posed questions to the candidates that we felt were important for them to respond to. Not only do we encourage you to read through them, we highly suggest you contact your prospective ward candidates and ask them about any other questions or concerns you have. Decide what is important to you in “your representative.” Which candidate has the qualities you require. Consider it somewhat like a hiring process- who would you pick for the job- since our elected officials do just that- serve WE THE PEOPLE!!

In my 26 years here at your community newspaper, we’ve seen the full gamut as far as elected officials/politicians go. Most have been just what we expected, while a few turned out to be disappointments. I guess that’s part of the gamble. This is why I believe it is so very, very important to be the best educated and informed voter you can be!!!

So, read the profiles, talk to your candidates, and talk to others whom you trust- your neighbors, friends, etc. See what they know about the candidates- but settle only for truth, not rumors. If you are doubtful of information you receive- go to the source and ask the candidate directly about it.

As far as I am concerned, I will be voting for the person I feel is best qualified, the most sincere, and the person who in my considerations- has no other agenda but wanting to serve our community. That is what our forefathers sought in establishing this form of leadership.

In closing, best wishes to the candidates seeking office, and thanks for your interest in serving your community.
CONTACT THE WRITER • patricia@ftnvalleynews.com