What is the next step for the election?

Our get-together last night was very productive. It gave several individuals a chance to ask questions, present ideas, and even vent a little. We did invite all of the candidates that we could contact. However, three of the individuals either did not return my calls or I could not locate information on them. Last night was intended to be the first in a series of "town hall" style meetings; it was more of an introduction meeting. We will be having another on March 21st at 7:00 PM, (or another day that week, I will let you know) with a much more detailed agenda. The next meeting will have each candidate sitting on stage at a table. After a 3 minute self introduction, we will provide time for all interested parties to ask questions with timed answers from the intended recipient.

Questions will be asked by the audience members in attendance. We will not allow, nor would we expect, attacks or verbal abuse intended for any candidate. The idea is this:  if the candidate is willing to answer our questions and concerns, then it will become much easier to make an educated, informed decision when it comes time to vote for these candidates.

After this next general meeting we will schedule additional meetings, geared towards the individual areas, addressing individual concerns, meetings specifically planned for the people of Canton Township, South Strabane and so on. This will allow a much more concentrated effort for all of the concerned parties and will allow a better understanding of the needs and desires of each individual community. You may ask yourself, is this all needed? Our answer to that is "yes", after seeing the effects of little to no concern for our school board elections, and the catastrophe that can ensue.  YES, it is needed. We must take the extra steps for all of our children, our tax base, and our future. Never again can we sit back and say “what harm can they do”; never again can we take a lackadaisical approach to our most important and cherished gift, our right to equal and fair representation through the election process. I realize it sounds like a soap box, but we have seen the damage that can be caused by a select few if we ignore our do-diligence when exercising our right to vote.