Well, the primary election is over and we can now get ready for November.  Congratulations to the winners.  To those who didn't win, don't let a loss deter you from trying again.

            The upcoming races will be more locally focused.  This is where folks need to step up and drop the negative and focus on the positive.  

            We are at the grassroots level to make a change.  You know, think globally and act locally.  There is too much division in our world, our nation, our state, and our county.  Let's work on removing that division in our local communities and work on healing those divides. Maybe, just maybe, that movement will spread.  We can disagree but when that disagreement breeds hate … well, that's just wrong.

            I don't want to know how bad the other candidate is, I want to know how good you are.  I want to know what you did just as much as I want to know what the other candidate didn't do.  Groups and backers don't interest me unless you're beholden to them; then I'll have to take a closer look.  I want you to be beholden to the people you will be serving – all the people.

            I want you to be able to govern and perform your responsibilities to the best of your ability and for the people.  If you can't serve the people, drop out of the race.

            I won't make my decision on social media rants or two-bit gossip by the candidates or their supporters, and I hope you won't either.

            This is a local election.  Candidates would do well to get into your community and see and be seen.

            This is a local election.  Candidates, if you haven't done anything for the people of your community yet, you don't have much of a past to put on display for the voters.  So, present a positive future – and mean it.

            This is a local election. Don't make promises you can't keep.  You'll be letting your friends and neighbors down.

            This is a local election.  Your campaign spending doesn't mean as much to me as where it's coming from. 

            There is plenty of time to seek out the good and not-so-good in each candidate.  It's not much of an effort to take that time to know who you will vote for.

            Candidates, you have plenty of time to prepare your message to the voters. 

            Make it one of unification, not division.