Two qualified and publicly minded candidates went before voterslast week to answer the question of who will be the next aldermanfor Ward Six. Unfortunately, not many people bothered torespond.

Businessman David Phillips was chosen over Brookhaven ParksCommission member David Kenny in a special election that saw onlyaround 10 percent of registered voters participate. Phillips isexpected to be sworn in Monday morning during a ceremony in theLincoln County Chancery Courtroom.

Regarding voter turnout, think about it this way: Only about onein 10 people bothered to make his or her voice heard in theelection. By their inaction, the other nine are saying theycouldn’t care less about the direction the city takes in the nextyear.

When offered the choices of such good candidates as Phillips andKenny, that is a sad commentary on the state of political affairson today’s society. We can only hope people will care more aboutelections in the future.