There�s been a tremendous amount of discussion on the list about the value of experience among election candidates and going with �what we know� (i.e. incumbents) with regard to the upcoming election. There seems to be an insinuation that many of the challengers seeking office don�t know the first thing about it and apparently haven�t the drive nor the intellect to begin to understand how to wade through the sometimes endless process of 'the process' that goes along with being an elected official. As much as I hate this phrase (gulp) public service isn�t rocket science. Board members, council members and mayors throughout history learned the ropes just like those that came before them and those that will follow. Certainly some are more driven, more vocal, or more controversial. Some have a couple of big issues they deal with; others know a little about a whole lot of things. The bottom line is they all have to start somewhere. When Alice Rainville left office, both Cherryhomes and then council member Dziedzic credited her with teaching them and rather guiding them in the ways of the process, and touted her as a much-respected veteran of the system. I just refuse to buy into the idea that candidates seeking office today are any less able or less qualified to do just as good a job as anyone else. I think elections are about people simply seeking the opportunity to do so. With that, I�ll shaddup already. JHarmon Cleveland
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