Candidate profiles begin, election letters run only through Oct. 24

We started last week running profiles of office seekers who want seats on the school board or City Council. We'll try to report on all of the candidates, but if any of them don't respond to our interview requests, we'll comply and skip their stories. We'll also, of course, inform the public of their refusal to participate.

Profiles of candidates give readers a chance to evaluate office seekers' reasons for running and their position on the issues. The candidates aren't permitted to use this forum as a launching pad for verbal attacks on their opponents or against officeholders who aren't facing reelection.

People who seek elective office have different reasons for running. Although none of them would admit it, some of them like power. There are other selfish reasons, too. Some of them have personal agendas and would like nothing more than to use a seat on the dais to get revenge for something that bothers them. Others may be running because they want the perks that are associated with elective office.

Nobody, however, is doing it for money alone. The compensation is miserly when you consider the amount of time and effort that's required to serve. And if anyone who's running is doing it for glory, they're in for a shocking surprise. Almost every elected official is criticized, some demonized, for some of the positions they take.

Running for office can be oversimplified as a "popularity contest," but that false description promptly ends after candidates are sworn into office. Tough decisions lie ahead for both the school board and City Council. Any resemblance to a popularity contest will be dust in the wind when harsh—and sometimes unpopular— decisions must be made.

Nobody who runs for office can have a thin skin. Unfortunately, they must be prepared for personal attacks and verbal abuse.

Criticism comes with the territory.

Finally, a word about deadlines. We must conclude all profiles on or before Oct. 24. No candidate can be profiled the week before the election. Also, an early warning about letters to the editor. We will not run election-related letters to the editor after the Oct. 24 edition. This enables us to correct the record on Oct. 31 if an egregious allegation is made.

So, please, take the time to learn about all the candidates running for elected office in Simi. Then use that information when you head to the ballot box Nov. 4.