Candidates need to step forward now Most people think of Christmas at this time of the year. Yet it's also the time of year people should think about becoming a candidate for public office. This is the time when candidates begin circulating their nomination papers or indicating their interest in running for office. The foundation of the American democratic system is local government. Every year or two, residents go to the polls to elect officials at the local level. Some of those terms are staggered so the elections provide some continuity, such as school districts which have three-year terms. Candidates have until Jan. 2, 2002, to circulate nomination papers, indicating their interest in running. In some municipalities, a caucus will be held, usually in January, for candidates to announce their intentions. Local elected officials don't become rich. They're generally frugal when paying themselves and often spend more time working on public business than they get paid for. Local officials may not gain fame either. In many communities, some officials have held office for a number of years, more as a duty than a career. They often can't entice someone to run. It's not unusual to have an incumbent announce intentions not to run only to reappear as a candidate just prior to the filing deadline because no one wanted the job. Being a public official isn't a piece of cake. The job often involves countless hours for meetings and reading of materials. Often, the most thankless job involves a position on a school board, where funding problems frequently require a referendum issue to exceed the state-imposed property tax limits. However, those governmental bodies won't succeed without public participation. And that participation is best provided by a elected official who listens to what others say and works to implement those suggestions. Now is the time for candidates to declare, and individuals who feel they can bring ideas and different perspectives to public office should consider becoming a candidate. -Gene Kemmeter