Bainbridge Island is about to get a fresh start.

Later this month, the Bainbridge Island City Council will welcome the five final candidates for the job of city manager to the island.

City officials will host a community gathering, where residents will get to meet the people who aspire to lead the day-to-day operations of city hall.

Despite what you may have heard in recent months, Etch-a-Sketch moments are rare in political life. But here we are, with a clean slate and a chance to set the tone for city hall’s next professional manager.

One way to help set a new tone — of transparency and trust from our elected officials — would be to give citizens a greater glimpse into the candidates who are in the running for the city manager’s job.

Next week, the council will release the names of the candidates. Better yet, let’s have the city release their resumes and application packets, and let the community participate in a full vetting process, rather than just the meet-and-greet that’s currently planned.