The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

November 19, 2008

Commission, school board seats open for the interested


Local government is where ordinary men and women have the most impact.

It’s also the level where decisions can have the greatest impact, and where people can have their greatest impact, too.

Next month is the time for people interested in serving can make their intentions known. The filing period for school board and city commission seats will be in early December.

For school board seats, the filing period is Dec. 1-3, and for city commission it is Dec. 8-10.

We encourage anyone interested to toss their hats into the ring.

We mean no disrespect to the incumbents who might file to run again, but it always serves the people better if there are choices. It’s always sad to see when only one person files for a seat. It’s even worse when no one files, and that has happened in Enid before.

Serving in the non-paid positions can sometimes seem like a thank-less job. But, it can be a rewarding experience as well. This is a chance for people with ideas to step up and serve their community.

And, ideas are what we really need now, both on the school district level and city level.

The times are changing, and we need people with innovative ideas to help carry us into the future. Too often, people sit back and play Monday morning quarterback rather than provide solutions to problems.

For school board, Office 1 central and south Enid, currrently held by Mark Selix; and Office 6 in north and west Enid, currently held by Robbie Woods.

For city commission, three seats are open: Ward 3 in east Enid, currently held by Larry Dillon; Ward 4 in northeast Enid, currently held by Loyd Kaufman; and Ward 6 in northwest Enid, currently held by Todd Ging.

If you have ideas, this is your chance. Put your name in the running. Make a difference.