Get to know the candidates | IN OUR OPINION

Published 11:27 am Saturday, May 16, 2015

Candidate Filing Week has now come to a close.

It’s been a busy week. On the first day 50 candidates had filed to run for positions on city councils, school boards, fire district commissions, park district commissions, port commissions, and utility district boards across Kitsap County.

Bainbridge voters will elect four city council members, three school board members, two fire district commissioners, two park district commissioners, and one sewer district commissioner.

Turn to this newspaper’s print and online editions for informative coverage of candidates in the Aug. 4 primary and the Nov. 3 general election. In addition to stories about the candidates and issues, we will publish Q&As with the candidates and will cover forums planned in the region. We will publish information in advance of forums and other events so you know when you can participate and get to know the candidates.

Editorial endorsement process: This newspaper will endorse candidates in the Nov. 3 general election. The endorsement will be made based on information gathered in the course of reporting on the candidates, coverage of candidate forums, and endorsement interviews.

The endorsement board – comprised of editors, the publisher and community advisory board members — will interview candidates. Both candidates for an office will be interviewed together, using rules utilized by the League of Women Voters.

Letters to the editor: Election-related letters to the editor will be published if they conform to rules regarding other letters to the editor (no more than 350 words, signed by the writer, with address and telephone number for verification purposes).

Anonymous letters and form letters will not be published.

The winners of the Nov. 3 election will work for you. Get to know the candidates. Your vote will empower them to make level-of-service and spending decisions on your behalf in city hall, school district offices, fire district headquarters and park district offices. Make sure your vote is an informed one.