Practice electoral kindness and political courtesy

We all want what’s best for Boone.

Defining what the “best” entails and how it is to be achieved is the focus of upcoming municipal elections.

The Watauga Democrat does not endorse individual political candidates but we do want to endorse one course of action in this contest — playing nice.

People claiming to represent many “sides” in this election are sinking lower and lower into that miry pit called “the Lowest Common Denominator” in their zeal to promote candidate A, B or C. We say “claiming” because we don’t want to suggest that any one candidate is behind the venom.

The tone of language being used from all corners has become so barbed and nasty that we wonder if we’re in the midst of a town election among supposedly courteous, friendly folks or on the set of some kind of reality television show where the nastiest thrive and survive.

It’s perfectly natural to want one’s candidate or candidates of choice to win — there are many important issues at stake this year and whoever lands in office will have a Herculean task of unraveling a quagmire that includes future growth questions, zoning issues and the town’s relationship with Appalachian State University not to mention traffic, downtown development and tourism.

It shouldn’t be too burdensome to make rational, dignified commentary about these issues rather than resorting to personal attacks and barbs.

Most of us who are observing and participating in the process have children and that brings up a great standard by which to judge one’s behavior here — before you write a letter or speak in public about the election, ask yourself: “Would I reprimand my child for talking to someone as I am about to do?”

Let that answer guide your actions and let’s see if we can subtract some acrimony and add some harmony.

It’s ironic that this acidic election is unfurling in the middle of a new campaign by some local folks who want to promote kindness and courtesy. The 2007 Boone town election would be a good place to start.