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Show f Battle Cheek . ' Well, sir, city election will be here before we know it. That's right, next Tuesday, Nov. 5 is the day when once more we have the priceless right to go to the polls and express our choice, privately where none can see or say us nay. The secret ballot is a tremendous tremen-dous force for good, if it is used intelligently. It is perhaps the one privilege guaranteed by the Bill of Rights that is feared and hated most by the Communist dictators. Along with freedom of speech and freedom of the press, free election is one of the first freedoms abolished abol-ished by tyrants when they take over a conquered people. Interest in the city election here in Battle Creek is perhaps higher than at any time since the establishment es-tablishment of the Pleasant Grove City "Water Works" became an issue is-sue along about 1904. As we recall tlie project entailed bonding the taxpayers for approximately $25,-000 $25,-000 and that was money in those days. City Counoilman, must have the qualifications to succeed or he wouldn't accept. Certainly the financial fin-ancial remuneration is no attraction. attrac-tion. The motivating force must be the desire to perform a necessary and important public service. There is not a candidate on either eith-er the Peoples or Citizens 'ticket this year but that could render valuable and efficient service to the people of Pleasant Grove, if and when he is elected. What he does after assuming office is entirely en-tirely dependent upon the type of intelligent support he receives from his fellow officers and the public at large. City officials should be made to feel that they have the loyal assistance as-sistance of at least the people who elected them; and this of course would total up to a majority of the citizens who have interest enough to vote. If this happy state of affairs were true, service as a small community city official and be a rewarding and satisfying experience. From what we may learn lately by keeping our ears to the ground, interest in the recent nominating primaries was stimulated in a large measure by those who were "agin" rather than "fer" any particular par-ticular candidate or policy. There were no specific issues in 1957, so interest was directed toward personalities; per-sonalities; and that was unfortunate. unfor-tunate. People who serve as Mayor or City Counoil members In small municipalities are continually confronted con-fronted with problems which affect people. Decisions must be made for the benefit of the majority. Such is progress and such is democracy. Unfortunately, however, the anger of the minority is often kindled when they cannot have their way. Over a period of years these bel-ligerant bel-ligerant minorities may become a force to be recognized in determining deter-mining future policies and candidates can-didates for election. It has always been the opinion of this column, that any citizen who is willing to accept the nomination nom-ination for office as a Mayor or Battle Creek Breeze makes no plea in favor of either party or individual candidate. Any man on either ticket could do a good job if he sincei-ely desires to do his best; and if he receives loyal public pub-lic support. The important thing is to vote for whom we vote, at least in this election, is not too important. No serious issues are evident, only honest men hoping to do their best if elected. This cornei-, however, does pledge solid support to the successful suc-cessful candidates, regardless of the final outcome. The space in these columns will always be devoted de-voted to the constructive support of worthwhile city projects of public benefit. We sincerely solicit the sympathetic sympa-thetic . and intelligent assistance of all our fellow citizens toward the successful candidates, regardless regard-less of name or party. It's desirable desir-able of course, that the best men win; but it's more Important that the best people support them. So long 'til Thursday. |