Election clock still ticking (2/9/04)

Every day the phone call is made to the Jay County Clerk's office.

"Are there any new filers?" is the question.

The answer most days has been, "No."

Time is running out.

Feb. 20 is the deadline for filing for this May's primary and school board elections, and the ballot is looking pretty slim at the moment.

A week ago, we mentioned the lack of opposition for Rep. Mike Pence in the Congressional race.

But with so many offices up for grabs, that barely scratches the surface.

County offices are open without filings.

No one has stepped forward as a potential challenger to State Rep. Ron Liggett.

And the Jay School Board seats up for grabs — three of them — have attracted just one filer to date.

Of all those, the school board situation strikes us as the most unusual.

Ever since the Jay School Corporation was created, there's never been a shortage of candidates. One memorable year, 17 people ran for four seats on the board.

The shortage of candidates can't be for lack of interest.

The school corporation is the largest property taxing unit around; it's the largest employer in the county; and nearly every household is touched by the school system at one time or another.

What's especially intriguing is that — after dealing with some of the most difficult fiscal decisions in the school system's history — the school board seems to be going into a period when it can actually focus on education, that little thing which so often gets lost when you're dealing with an institution so big and so complicated.

Surely qualified and thoughtful candidates are out there just waiting to file.

But as we keep reminding folks, the clock is indeed ticking. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]