A Times Editorial

Vote in elections that come closest to home

It is clear that city election season is under way in North Pinellas County. Just look at the signs.

Oops. You weren't quick enough. Those candidate campaign signs that were there yesterday are gone today. They were whisked away in the night by some mysterious hand that no doubt belonged to the candidate's opponent, or perhaps supporters of the candidate's opponent.

As ridiculous as it is, sign swiping has become the favorite sport of the local election season. Indeed, reports of stolen campaign signs have become as common as the signs themselves during campaigns. The first reports came in to this newspaper Tuesday from Dunedin, where six candidates are vying for two open seats in the February election.

How unfortunate that some of those candidates will have to spend time replacing missing signs when they could be studying the issues or answering voters' questions.

There are other signs of the season.

Candidates are filling up on coffee and Greek salads at coffee klatches and civic club luncheons during which they might get a minute or two to introduce themselves to potential voters.

Doorbells are ringing in subdivisions. Homeowners who answer the door may find a would-be candidate on their front stoop trying to get enough voter signatures to qualify as a candidate without paying a fee. Or they might find a qualified candidate or supporter hoping to share some very important campaign material, such as a refrigerator magnet or a pen with the candidate's name on it or a flier filled with happy pictures.

Forums are being scheduled in some cities to give voters a chance to look over the crop of candidates before election day.

Of course, there are accusations by candidates jockeying for advantage. Largo looks likely to have the liveliest campaign, especially in the race for mayor. The qualifying period for the Largo election March 4 hasn't even ended yet; but already mayoral candidate Marty Shelby is on the attack, issuing written statements and accusing incumbent Bob Jackson of this and that.

It's true: Much of what happens during election campaigns seems silly. But it all is part of that messy but wonderful process of electing the people who will represent us in local government. These are the people who will make the decisions about whether our taxes go up or down, whether the street in front of our house gets repaved, whether our trash gets picked up less often, whether a tall building gets constructed next door. Local government is the government closest to home and the one that affects our daily lives the most.

Because of that, it is a good idea for residents to keep up with election news and plan to vote. If you have never registered to vote, do it now. It has never been easier. You can register at the county supervisor of elections offices, libraries, driver's license offices, armed forces recruitment centers and at some centers that provide services for disabled people. You can also pick up an application at city halls and banks and just mail in the completed form. Easy.

Voter registration deadlines already have passed in Tarpon Springs and Dunedin. Tarpon Springs will have a special election Feb. 4 to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Beverley Billiris, who plans to run for mayor next year. Dunedin's election is Feb. 11. Both cities also will have referendum questions on the ballot.

On March 4, Largo voters will choose a mayor and two commissioners. Largo residents who need to register have until Feb. 3. There is also an election in Seminole that day, with the same registration deadline.

Most other North Pinellas communities have elections scheduled March 11: the Belleairs, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and Indian Shores and Indian Rocks Beach. The deadline to register to vote in those elections is Feb. 10. Blessedly, Clearwater has no election this year.

Watch your newspaper during the next two months for lots of election campaign coverage as the Times fulfills its responsibility to provide material that helps inform voters.

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