It's a slate of winners (10/23/06)

If one measure of an election is the quality of the candidates, then November's Jay School Board contest looks like a winner.

Two of the seats are uncontested, with Bryan Alexander of Portland and Mike Shannon of Dunkirk facing no opposition.

But five candidates are vying for the other two spots.

Emily Swartz is challenging incumbent Jay Halstead. And there's a three way race - Ron Laux, Mike Foreman, and Larry Paxson - for the seat now held by Doug Inman, who is not seeking re-election.

Based upon their responses to a questionnaire from The Commercial Review, all five candidates bring something to the table.

There's a rich mix of experience, expertise, and commitment evident from all five. All of them seem to have a clear understanding of the school board's role, and no "hidden agendas" have yet surfaced.

Most of the attention on election day will go toward the battle over control of Congress. Second in terms of level of interest will be the fight over the Indiana House of Representatives. And third, in terms of local interest, will probably be the race for sheriff.

But the school board races are hugely important. They involve the biggest taxing district in the county and the lives of thousands of kids.

It's reassuring, going in, to know that high caliber individuals have stepped forward to compete for the job. We feel like winners already. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]