Yesterday was the first day that candidates for the May 8 election could file for office. Those filing locally would be throwing their names in for either the city council or the school board. For the council, new terms will start for Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5, seats currently held by me (Douglas Athas), Laura Cox, Larry Jeffus, and John Willis, respectively.
 
The last day to file is Mar 8, unless someone files for a write-in position. The last day for being listed as a write-in candidate is Mar 15.
 
Silly Season runs until the election on May 8 and perhaps to the runoff day on Jun 12.
 
Silly Season is that time in politics when people tend to get goofy. While politicians are the most noticeable, the general public can jump in, too. Politicians can suddenly be for what they were against (and vice versa) and voters can suddenly oppose what they previously approved (or demand what they opposed). Recluses become glad-handers and the meek start to roar. Squeaky wheels get a lot of grease and babies a lot of kisses. Occasionally a politician gets confused (actually that happens often) and starts to shake babies and kiss hands.
 
My advice (which is still good because I haven't yet filed for re-election) is to listen with a skeptical ear and to expect that a politician has suddenly started to follow Hollywood and "jumped the shark" (go so far as to not really be believable).
 
I will be filing to serve my final term (honest, I'm term-limited) sometime after the next council meeting.
 
I posted the election schedule and some precautions several weeks ago. Follow that link to get information on candidate packets and a hint at the immediate challenges we face. The challenges are large and candidates need to be bold. While it will be silly locally for several weeks and nationally for several months, things will get serious after the elections. We have a lot of challenges.