Candidates should all be proud

Eight city council candidates. Three mayoral candidates. That’s awesome in and of itself. It’s great to have so much interest in serving our community and so many options from which to choose.

I was very impressed with everyone’s performance at the candidate forum Saturday night. (Click here for story.) It was clear that the candidates’ interest in serving Maricopa was sincere, and their intentions honorable.

They ranged from extremely comfortable to extremely nervous in front of the television camera, media and crowd of about 100 citizens. I know I would have been shaking in my boots in that situation, and I appreciate their willingness to step out of their comfort zone for something they believe in, the betterment of our community.

In an era – and city – that is marked by Election Day apathy, I am proud of the activism these 11 neighbors of ours are displaying, and I hope their commitment is contagious and that we all respond in kind by showing up March 9 and casting a ballot. It’s our right. It’s our obligation.

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