Editorial: Have you considered running for office?

The candidate filing period for state primary and general elections and for municipal/school district elections where a primary is possible opens next week.
For the 2014 election year, candidate filing opens on Tuesday and runs through June 3.
An election is important at all levels, but it is always most important at the local level in your town or county in west central Minnesota.
The government at the city and county levels is the closest to home and where individuals often can have an impact.
We encourage all citizens to give consideration to running for public office in their community.
Are you unhappy with the performance of your representative in local government? Consider running for office.
Are you unhappy with the dysfunction of your local government? Consider running for office.
Are you tired of your representative spending multiple terms in office and not listening to constituents? Consider running for office.
The ultimate decision maker will be the voters in your city or county. However, unless good candidates step up and file for election, there are not strong candidates on the ballot.
Now is the time to ask what you can do for your local town, county or school board.