The municipal election scheduled for May is the most importantvote to face Brookhaven residents in many, many years.

As you know, qualifying is now underway for mayor, the sevenaldermen positions, chief of police, city clerk and city taxassessor. As of Friday afternoon, 26 candidates had qualified toseek the various posts.

Although there are already some good candidates in the races, weare hoping to see a very crowded field after the March 2 qualifyingdeadline.

Why?

Because during the next four years Brookhaven will need a slateof progressive leaders to deal with some very important issues –issues that will affect not only the city, but also Lincoln County,for years to come.

The new city board will be working hand-in-hand with the stateas the Mississippi School of the Arts, located on the formerWhitworth College campus, is completed and welcomes its firststudents.

The new city board will in all likelihood decide on annexationplans as the city expands its population and tax base.

Will the city decide to move the airport to a new location?Although details are still scarce, that topic continues to pop upat board meetings.

And what about the intermodal transportation system proposed forthe downtown area? It will be up to the new board to make that areality.

The new city board will be dealing with some important moneyissues and must see that the best possible use is made of taxdollars. As city residents see their tax bills climb next year dueto property reappraisal, more and more emphasis must be placed onfinances.

That’s why it’s important that Brookhaven voters have a goodslate of candidates to choose from this year. That’s why it’simportant that the city has active, progressive leadership in thenext four years.

We encourage Brookhaven citizens to get involved in thepolitical process. April 1 is the deadline for potential voters toregister and be able to vote in the first primary. Make plans nowto vote.

In the meantime, learn about the candidates. Ask them how theypropose to keep the city moving forward. Encourage them — ifelected — to take an active, not a passive role, on the city’sleadership team.

The next four years are too important to waste on somebody whodoes nothing more than warm the bottom of chair.