Hopefully by the time you’ve read this you have voted or preparing to, as today (Tuesday) is Election Day, one which will have some big implications for our community, the state and the nation. 

As I’ve said before, voting is of key importance in our republic, and being an informed voter doubly so, so I appreciate all those who attended the recent forums for local candidates, including one hosted by the Powell Education Association for school board candidates and one Oct. 26 hosted by the Powell Tribune for school board and city council candidates. 

Much appreciation as well to all the candidates who showed up or, if they couldn’t make it, sent in statements that were read in front of the audience. 

As one of my reporters noted upon seeing our setup at The Commons, this was a true view of local democracy in action, candidates sitting across from attendees, letting the public know what they think of important issues. 

I want to say I very much appreciate the openness of all of the local candidates, who provided very thoughtful answers for the most part, even on hot button topics such as Proposition 1, school security, and pet and e-bike policies. 

Running for office is a brave endeavor, and win or lose you should all be proud of putting yourself out there and working for what can often be a tough, thankless job. 

As President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena …”

I also appreciate all those who have written letters to the editor regarding this election season and apologize to those I had to turn away after last Tuesday’s paper, which we had set as our deadline to publish letters specifically regarding candidates or ballot measures on our local ballots. 

But feel free to send a letter for Thursday’s paper if you desire remarking on the results of the Nov. 3 election, or whatever else you’d like to say. 

Again, this is an important election and I hope the Tribune has been able to provide some measure of education about candidates and ballot measures, as well as a platform for many of you who have written with your two cents. 

And for those who are sick of election season, of all the unwanted text messages and phone calls and mailers, congrats, you’ve just about made it. 

Tuesday night election coverage and preliminary results can be followed at powelltribune.com.