L&T Publisher Earl Watt
Recent years have shown us just how important it is to select the people who lead our community.
Elections set the tone for how we move forward, how we interact with our city and school district, and who gets hired to lead these organizations.
The best way to insure we have the best leadership is to have a strong list of candidates.
There is just less than a month to decide to run for the Liberal City Commission, the USD No, 480 School Board, USD No. 483 School Board, leadership in the City of Kismet as well as for Seward County Community College Board of Trustees.
Calling for candidates is not a knock on those currently holding office. Depending on your point of view, there are many reasons to believe these elected officials have been able to achieve successes.
Some may feel otherwise.
Elections are a great way for the public to get to know about the challenges we face as a community and whether or not voters are happy with the current direction or would like to head in a different direction.
The only way to know that is by having a list of candidates that will allow the voters choices that help reflect the priorities of the voters.
It’s important to reiterate that it is the will of the voters that determine the direction of the community and our schools, and they do that by voting for the candidates they feel best reflect the direction they want to go.
Currently, the Liberal Coalition of Families is hosting a “boot camp” for those curious about running.
It’s important to get accurate information on being a candidate and what it entails. There is a little bit of paperwork, but that shouldn’t be intimidating or cause a candidate to be hesitant to run. It’s important to know, however, that this paperwork is required, and financial reporting is a state requirement of a campaign.
My door is always open to anyone seeking to run, and I enjoy speaking with those who want to serve in public office. Feel free to send me an email at
Some believe that only those who aren’t happy with the direction of our community become candidates. Others shy away because they believe there weill be a negative impact on their business.
If that’s the case, we will never get the best leaders because they will never put their names on the ballot.
If you have a passion for education or have a heart for Liberal or Kismet, I encourage you to take the risk and put your name on the ballot.
The road map to the future has not been drawn. And nothing is carved in stone. Where we go and how we get there will be decided by the voters, and they can only make a decision based on whose name is on the ballot and what vision has been shared by those candidates with the community.
Candidate are the key to our future.
