January 20. May 4. November 2.
All in 2010.
Those are the critical dates facing candidates in next year’s elections; the days when they can declare their candidacy, run in the primary election and, perhaps, run in the general election.
This week, Kim Builta announced her intent to run as a Republican and unseat Democrat Terri Austin in Indiana House Dist. 36. Builta’s announcement came on Nov. 2, a year before the general election when the two could meet as challengers.
Others will start making their announcements, leading hopefully to good, clean debates.
In general, there’s plentiful lists of qualifications Hoosiers expect to see during the coming year.
Of course, the list would include business-like skills of good leadership, the ability to communicate and direct, and finding ways to inspire confidence.
Character is tops.
“Ability may get you to the top but it takes character to keep you there,” said Indiana-born former UCLA coach John Wooden.
But candidates, and politicians, should be more compassionate than traditional traits of a successful business leader.
They need to pay attention. To the constituents, lending an ear to each and every one.
Our politicians must serve us.
“Good leaders must first become good servants,” noted Indiana-born Robert Greenleaf, who coined the phrase “servant leadership.”
Any Madison County resident can tell a politician that the top concerns are, as our population here ages, the topics of money, jobs and health care.
Candidates should gear their debates to solutions and answers. No politician has the end-all solution to any of these. That’s why Hoosiers don’t want to hear of bickering or cronyism.
But good politicians know the drill. With one candidate announcing, this is a good time for Hoosiers to set their own agendas and tell their politicians what they expect.
In fact, if Hoosiers really want to voice their concerns, they should add another date to the 2010 calendar: April 5, the date by which voters need to be registered in Indiana.
Editorials
Editorial: Wanted: A few good candidates
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Editorial: Memorial Day helps put face on wounded warriors
This is the perfect weekend to thank a veteran, an active duty service member or a wounded warrior for his or her service. Our positive, encouraging response goes a long way in defining our society.
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Editorial: Honor those who fought, and celebrate our freedom
This weekend, keep in mind the reason for Memorial Day — to remember those who have been so important in our lives, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice in military service.
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Editorial: Governor candidates offer conservatism, moderation
The jockeying for position has begun in what is basically a two-horse gubernatorial race. Each offers voters a legitimate option. The November outcome may offer a simple referendum on the mindset of voters: Are they most persuaded by Mike Pence’s conservatism or by John Gregg’s moderation?
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Editorial: Keep up the chorus against the landfill
Occupy Anderson has joined the ever-growing chorus against the proposed Mallard Lake landfill. Sam Mudd, a member of Occupy, is taking his studies on how the landfill might pollute Anderson’s water to areas of the county to drum up support against the landfill.
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Editorial: Find a buyer for former school or tear it down
If a buyer wants the former Pendleton Heights Middle School, fine, but put no more taxpayer money into it.
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Editorial: Libraries must adapt to serve communities
Certainly, the Friends of the Anderson Public Library needs space to store and sell used books, records, DVDs and other material. But library supporters and staff must be flexible in this ever-changing world to keep public facilities relevant.
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You Said It: About Walking Men, the Queen of Disco and settled lawsuits
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com.
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Editorial: Ockomon-Spencer saga hurt city's reputation
Wednesday, May 16, was a sad day for Anderson taxpayers forced to pay a $128,000 bill that ends a saga that never should have started
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Editorial: It's Pendleton's time to shine this weekend
The residents of Pendleton can be a little prouder of themselves today. Two events capture the community spirit that makes the town one of the gems in our region.
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Editorial: Little 500 Festival, local events heating up Saturday
Like the Indianapolis 500, Anderson Speedway’s Little 500 should be on the bucket list for folks living in the Madison County area.
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