Local elections deserve attention

If the current upheaval in Washington over the shutdown of the federal government and looming debt ceiling deadline teaches us anything, perhaps it should be that we need to elect reasonable people. People who are willing to do the work of governing. Isn’t that what we elected them to do?

To that end, and keeping in mind the age-old adage: “All politics is local,” we challenge the community to become engaged in the Nov. 5 general election.

There are key elections for city government and millage proposals across Gogebic County.

In Ironwood, there are six people running for five open seats on the city commission, as well as a ballot proposal asking for 2 mills to be collected over 10 years to help fix the streets.

In Bessemer, there are six people running for five spots on the city council. The Bessemer Area Schools is also asking for a Headlee Override to be adopted.

In Wakefield, the city council ballot has seven people running for five spots, and the Wakefield-Marenisco School District is asking for a renewal of the 18 mills on non-homestead properties for 10 years.

The Daily Globe will preview these elections in the next few weeks, asking those on the ballot to share their ideas for the future of their community, as well as asking school officials about the millage requests.

The election is a month out, and there’s plenty of time to attend a meeting to help acquaint yourself with the issues.

It’s an uncertain time as far as national politics is concerned, but there is certainly no better time to become informed about local government.

Be informed and don’t forget to vote on Nov. 5.