If the charter commission is successful and its recommendations are adopted in 2001, then the present legislative body will need to be reorganized, cutting the four-year term in half. Even under the present charter, which calls for a councilor from each precinct, change is just around the corner. After the 2000 Federal Census, the town is expected to gain one, if not two additional precincts. Because all of the lines need to be redrawn, all council seats would go up for election, similar to what happened in 1993. The possibility of an early exit from a term as town councilor may not be the best reason to run, but if it proves to be an enticement, it's good enough.
Elections are only interesting when there is a choice.
Choice is lacking in this year's offerings this far. If no more candidates surface, no preliminary election will be necessary for any of the 11 positions subject to primary votes. That says a lot about a community of more than 45,000 permanent residents, and the message is not good. Democracy at all levels is determined first by those who decide to run. Without that initial step, there is little for the electorate to do.