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: AHS grad rates moving up, must be pushed ever higher
A diploma is a must, but it has to mean something. Anderson High School must do this the right way, not cutting corners and passing students through classes, but making them accountable for learning the subject matter.
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Editorial: With changes to program, why not begin recycling?
The public has to understand the importance of recycling aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, newspapers and certain plastics. Besides minimizing a community’s waste, recycling saves energy, natural resources and the environment.
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Editorial: Reality returns after Super Bowl mania
While we loved what the Super Bowl did for our reputation, it’s time to get back to the real world. Let’s recap the lost week.
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You Said It: About contract, 'Teen Mom,' State of the City
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com, coupled with responses by the newspaper’s editorial board.
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Editorial: Smith speech shows mayor aiming high
The bottom line in Mayor Kevin Smith’s State of the City address Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s luncheon at Anderson Country Club was simple: To attract investment, you have to make investments.
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Editorial: Bill offered by state Senate honors Fourth Amendment
No law is ever going to rid domestic situations of their subjectivity, but people have a right to be secure in their homes, and the police need to keep this in mind when they come knocking.
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Editorial: Burton's retirement was overdue
Dan Burton has been a fixture in Indiana politics for nearly a half century. A staunch Republican, Burton made waves in the Statehouse and in Congress, but now it’s over. Burton recently announced his retirement and will not seek re-election in Indiana’s District 5.
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Editorial: Tempered excitement for call-center jobs is prudent
Immediately after city officials announced the location of a new call center in Anderson on Jan. 25, the “Yeah, buts ...” started.
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Editorial: Trigger law would give parents too much power
If the state is going to push for charter schools, it has to be a measured action with plenty of debate. There is a reason why the term trigger-happy has negative connotations. It means a knee-jerk reaction with little thought.
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You Said It: About Grandview, new Colts coach and the APA incident
The Anderson Parks board has created a committee to study options for Grandview Golf Course and its restaurant. (Article published Jan. 17.)
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