Next Tuesday is election day…just wondering how Sullivan County voters will approach the candidates' positions that have been issued for County Court Judge and County Clerk and who will best serve the public's interests.

As we have said in the past voters must possess mental toughness and they must reach out and get all the facts to know who really will do what is best for Sullivan County.

Athletes more than the ordinary citizen are more apt to use the term “mental toughness” and that this term comes into play when a game is on the line and one can stay calm and focused when all of the pressure is on.

Voters going to the polls next Tuesday hopefully are able to focus on the task at hand and ignore the negative aspects that always crop up.

Citizens who take voting as a serious issue will not have to worry as athletes do about fans cheering, dugout chatter, hollering and the intimidation forced on the batter at the plate.

The voting public hopefully has been able to read between the lines to know who is best qualified for positions listed on the ballot.

I love local small-town politics as was put on display at the Grahamsville Giant Pumpkin Party earlier this month when we witnessed two friends running on different party lines for the same office embrace each other in a photo op. We tip our hat to Neversink Town Justice candidates Jerry Stevens and Brent Gotsch for offering a clean no-nasty punches campaign.

We wish this could set an example for all our local candidates.

My hope is that the facts will win the day and that the truth will always matter.

Remember, use your God given right to VOTE next Tuesday.