The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

November 30, 2012

School board, commission in need of candidates for open seats

Enid News & Eagle

Serving in public office is a special sacrifice.

The city of Enid and Enid Public Schools are looking for a few good men and women to serve open seats on the City Commission and Board of Education.

The filing period opens at 8 a.m. Monday and closes at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

City Commission seats in Wards 3, 4 and 6 are open this year. Lewis Blackburn is the incumbent in Ward 3, Drew Ritchie is the Ward 4 commissioner, and Todd Ging is commissioner in Ward 6. Blackburn and Ritchie said they will not seek new terms, and Ging is term-limited. The election will be Feb. 12.

Also, a full-time school board member will be elected to fill the unexpired term of Colleen Arnold. She resigned in September after four years on the school board. Her term was set to expire in February.

We hope current and future candidates keep a community-minded focus. Enid needs independent, intelligent individuals with a track record of involvement instead of single-agenda candidates with axes to grind.

During four-year terms, members must look at community needs from a holistic perspective. Considering the amount of homework involved, they need to have high energy and be able to invest time in the interest of others.

Their willingness to invest themselves must be balanced by a thick skin. They will need to deal with being second-guessed on their decisions regarding taxpayer funds without taking it personally, and they need to respond with professionalism and civility.

You don’t want to be a rubber stamper, and there’s no way to make everyone happy. What’s best for your municipality or district may not be the easiest decision. Keep that in mind as you throw your hat into the ring.

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