The primary election is less than three weeks away and voters have a right to know who they are voting for – or against.
Perception is reality. As a voter perceives a candidate, that is reality to them.
For instance, one common perception is that candidates for Berks, Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery County offices have a tendency to forget about our "Four-County-Corner" of the Commonwealth because, well, we're not really close to the higher populated areas of those counties.
When they make a campaign appearance or promote projects, in the words of Star Trek's Mr. Spock, "logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
Remember, I mentioned it's a perception. Whether it's true or not is in the mind of the voter. Have you, the candidate, reached out to as many corners of your county as you can, in any way you can? Do the voters know who you are and what your candidacy means to them?
It's not like we have a good chance of bumping into any of them at the supermarket or at a local high school event. So it is important that candidates reach out to as many of the people as they can – even beyond the boundaries of the area you hope to represent.
On a local level, candidates sometimes throw their hats into the ring based on emotion to one event or subject. But representing all of the people in your community means much more than reacting to one subject.
Candidates need to know what their job duties will be and what is expected of them. They must be good communicators and good listeners. They need to learn as much as they can during their candidacy to avoid on-the-job training if they're elected. Gaffes made once you're elected, because you didn't know what the responsibilities and limitations actually were, can be expensive for taxpayers.
If you fail to know your job, then you could end up turning your responsibilities over the solicitor. He or she is there to advise and represent you, not make decisions for you. The voters didn't elect the solicitor.
If elected, you will hire administrators to handle the day-to-day operations. Make sure they (and you), know where the responsibilities begin and end. Voters didn't elect the administrators and you, the elected, are responsible for their actions and decisions.
Now, before the election, is the time for candidates to communicate with voters.
Social media postings alone won't get it done. Get out and meet the voters; shake hand; attend a local happening; tell voters what you will do while you're looking them in the eye. Don't tell them you care – show them you care and respect them and their opinions.
Do it in the supermarket, at a restaurant, at a local school event, at church, at a public meeting, or anywhere you run into them.
But do it.