One of the requirements for public office is to be a glutton for punishment.
The candidate must endure mudslinging from the opposition, assertions that have varying degrees of truth, usually. Too often, attacks become personal and affect not only the office-seekers, but their families. Some criticisms involving their record are fair, some slams stretch the truth, while others are flat-out lies.
By the time November rolls around, the candidates are weary from campaigning and anxious for election day to come and go.
Of course, the verbal jabs don't end after convincing enough voters he or she is the right person for the job.
In fact, they are just beginning.
With each vote on an issue, there will be some constituents upset to go along with the others favoring the position.
While there will be a few innocuous, straight-forward matters, office-holders of all levels will have to make their fair share of difficult decisions on controversial issues, which will be the ones remembered most.
It's a tough job.
I have a lot of respect for those willing to run for office and put themselves out there.
Good luck to all those who have filed. It's sure to be an interesting primary and general election.
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This has been the toughest winter I can recall. It seems like we've been battling the snow, ice and frigid temperatures for months, with an occasional teasing spring-like weather break.
The latest round of inclement weather has topped all the previous winter storms of the season; hopefully it's the last.
The snow and ice has made for some anxious moments behind the wheel and produced frustrated drivers and community members.
One lane of Interstate 55 turned into a parking lot; there were cars stuck in snow drifts all over town; schools and governmental offices closed. Several events were postponed or canceled, including the baseball openers for the local schools.
Yes, local student athletes should be hurling baseballs and softball right now instead of snowballs. Youth baseball evaluations were held over the weekend, beating the bad weather, fortunately.
It's been an unusual week, to say the least.
Let's hope we don't see another one like it. Ever.
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I guess one of the things we take for granted is having drivable streets.
Sure, there are plenty of potholes and bumps to lament, but they usually don't cause one to get stuck or skid off the road. Potholes seem pretty benign right now.
I think the ice has proven to be even worse on a vehicle's suspension, at least the way it rutted up the roads.
I have a hunch there will be a boost in shocks and struts sales soon.
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It was heartwarming to see community members, like folks from Healing in the Hood and others, bringing items to those stranded on the interstate earlier this week. Our community steps up time and time again during difficult circumstances. I'm sure the motorists were thankful and now happy to be back on the road.
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At this rate, it looks like the local schools will be in session a good portion of June, unless they somehow qualify for a waiver like many others around the state are attempting.
If they don't get a waiver, the students will get a small taste of going year-round, with an abbreviated summer break.
I'm sure most would rather have a full summer and go as scheduled, but sometimes Mother Nature doesn't allow that to happen. In the coming weeks, we'll know how the local schools plan to make up the missed days. School decision-makers are in a pretty tough spot.
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It's difficult to compare this weather event with the 2009 ice storm. I think most would rather have bad roads for a few days than lose power for several days, maybe even weeks. But the roads were so bad that it forced some to sleep in their cars on the interstate. I'd prefer not to experience either, but the weather is what it is.
On the bright side, it's supposed to reach 60 this weekend and 70 early next week. Welcome to Arkansas, where there's an ice storm, immediately followed by 60-degree weather.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com