Right people needed in public office

Like many Internet sites, McCook Daily Gazette's Web site, http://mccookgazette.com, features an instant poll.

There's nothing scientific about it, other than visitors can vote only one time per day.

While some of the questions concern important issues, many of the questions are designed as much for fun as to provoke thought.

The current question concerns New Years resolutions, and what type are being made. While some vowed to get more exercise, lose weight or stop smoking, this morning, the leading resolution was "stop making resolutions."

The start of any new year is a time for reflection, but any even-numbered year carries special weight.

Already, a number of candidates have announced their intention to seek public office.

These range from national offices all the way to the local offices.

Remember the controversy, political and legal maneuvering which climaxed the 2000 presidential election? Could any of us have guessed that the president selected by that process would face an unprecedented attack on our nation, followed by war, less than two years later?

No other job carries with it the responsibilities connected to the title President of the United States, but each elected official has the prospect of facing decisions which will affect the lives of many other people.

Two incumbent officials had already filed for re-election this morning. Pauletta Gerver is asking to be returned to office as Red Willow County Clerk, and Bev Dodge seeks re-election as Clerk of District Court.

We applaud anyone who will seek public office. In nearly all cases, compensation, if any, is inadequate for the hours of time and the weight of decisions the office holder is asked to make.

Especially important this year for McCook residents is the office of city council member. Two who hold that office have indicated that they will not seek re-election.

While we hope the water issue is settled by the time new city council members take office, it will be up to the new city council to implement the plan which is put in place over the next few months.

Now is the time for civic-minded individuals to seriously consider submitting their names to the voters -- whether for city council or for any other local public office.

We think we have an idea of some of the problems that will face local office holders, and they are formidable.

But if there is anything to be learned from the past few months, it is this: Nothing is more important than have the right people in the right positions of responsibility at the right time.