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Editors note: The following is an opinion piece submitted by an elected official.

Its election season and word gets around the county quickly.

Its hard to know whats true or not, but some things have been told to me by my constituents that made me want to set the record straight on some of what people should keep in mind as they are assessing candidates for local office, whomever they support.

Candidates should pay attention, too.

Ive served on the County Board for 26 years and only on rare occasions have so many people decided to run for office. Thanks to all of them for being willing to step into public service.

The most important recommendation I have is for non-incumbent candidates who are running for any positionbut it goes for those of us who have been serving, too: Educate yourselves.

You may have chosen to run for one or two issues or because you just dont like the person currently holding the office. It doesnt matter. If you win, you will immediately find yourselves in the position of acting on a lot of important issues, and some of them you might not have seen coming.

The county is not a one- or two-issue organization. If you need help, call county staff and others in the know who you respect and ask for it. Many issues are time-sensitive and cannot be put off until youre able to form an educated opinion or make an informed vote.

In the County Executive race, people need to remember that whoever is in that position does not get a vote or make county policy. That is the job of the policymakers who sit on the County Board. Election season and politics, in general, tend to bring out beliefs, promises, and statements that forget this fact.

Theres also the debate over the Executive position and whether or not an Administrator would be better. Regardless of your opinion on that, the people voted to put the position into Portage County government and only the people can take it out. State statute explains this very clearly. It also doesnt matter if we have an Executive or Administrator when it comes to administering the day-to-day operations of the county. Regardless of the title, this position is in charge of that.

Last but not least, elected officials dont tell each other what to do. County electeds dont have authority over municipal electeds or other elected bodies like school boards. They can work together or not, but its the laws of the land that we all have to follow.

Our positions are non-partisan for the most part. Parties support candidates, which is fine and expected, but a non-partisan approach that respects what Im talking about here will keep you on a good path because Portage County is not Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green, Libertarian, or Other. Its all of those labels we use. People are also more than just their political affiliation.

Jeanne Dodge is a Board Supervisor for the countys 21st District. She can be reached at 715-592-4153.

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Column: Candidates for office, voters, need to educate themselves better - Point/Plover Metro Wire