In March of this year, we noted that good candidates are needed to fill the three City Council seats and two School Board positions up for election this fall.

That editorial voiced concern that the lack of civility displayed toward local elected leaders in the last few years could dissuade potential candidates from serving the citizens of Mercer Island.

Five months later, only one person is known to be considering a run for either of the two open seats on the Mercer Island School Board of Directors.

However, all three of the City Council races this year may be contested, with possibly six people vying for three positions.

Public service at the local level can be a tiresome and thankless job. The hours are long and the pay is little, if any. Criticism is delivered verbally, electronically and by phone at all hours of the day.

The reward can be well worth it. Serving on the City Council or School Board means having a direct hand in shaping Mercer Island. No other public offices have more influence on our everyday lives. The decisions made by City Council and School Board members affect our children, homes, streets, parks, property, classrooms and Town Center — in other words, the quality of life on the Island.

Our community needs quality candidates. Who is willing to help direct our school district?

The deadline to file in person or by mail is 4:30 p.m. this Friday, July 29, at 500 Fourth Ave., Room 553 in the King County Administration Building. For more information, call 206-296-1565.

To reiterate what we said in the spring, with an eye to the upcoming local election season, we as a community should pledge to attack policies, not people. Let’s take personal responsibility for informing ourselves on the issues. Let’s promise to be civil verbally and in writing.