Be informed, attended candidate forums

The election season is heating up.

After a very poor turnout in May's primary election, it looks like November's general election is going to have a good showing.

You have read it here before but I feel obligated to remind voters that this year is not the year to base votes on yard signs, one-word answers to complicated questions or partisan politics.

This should be the year we all agree to become informed on the many issues as well as learn about all of the candidates.

Do you like propositions 1 or 2? If you don't know about them, there is still time to read up. One could add a penny to the sales tax while the other could have a devastating impact on private property rights. How do you feel about gay marriage? It's on the ballot, too.

The Bee will continue to highlight local races as well as the initiatives as we close in on election day.

In the meantime, I want to invite everyone to a series of candidate forums the Bee is cosponsoring with the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

The doors at Sandpoint High School open at 6 p.m. from Monday through Wednesday. There is no admission charge.

The forums are:

? Monday, 6:30 p.m. SHS auditorium. Bonner County Candidates for County Clerk, County Assessor and county commission seats in District 1 and District 3.

? Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. SHS auditorium. Statewide offices including area state house and senate races. There will also be a short discussion on the propositions and other items on the ballot.

? Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. all candidates running for office are invited to attend. This will be the best chance to meet all of the candidates.

There are many more political forums scheduled during the next three weeks and we will keep you posted about those.

In the meantime, I plan to learn as much as I can about the candidates, their track records, what they are saying now and how their beliefs mesh with mine.

Prior to the elections, the Bee will endorse candidates we feel will best represent us.

Make up your own mind. Get informed. Consider this an invitation to participate in local democracy.

Please plan on attending one or all three of the forums.

I'll see you there. I'll bring the cookies.

David Keyes is publisher of the Bee.