No candidate for elected office should be allowed a free pass to a position of importance, and one that clearly puts a person in control of the health, welfare and safety of thousands of residents.
It appeared that would be the case in Howell this year, as Republican Councilman Wayne Lucey ran uncontested in the June 7 GOP primary.
Lucey, who was appointed to the council in January to fill the council seat Joseph M. DiBella left when he became mayor, is seeking election in November to serve the final year of DiBella’s original council term.
Howell has long been known for its residents’ active political involvement — whether that means contested primary elections, or contested general elections.
With Democrats electing not to run a candidate in the primary, it appeared that Lucey would have a free run to a one-year term in November.
But two residents have filed as independents and will appear on the ballot on Election Day. They are former councilman Reinhard “Fritz” Kirchhof and local business owner Robert Walsh, who is also a member of the United Republican Club, the organization that submitted Lucey’s name for nomination.
Kirchhof served on the council from 1999 to 2002.
It is to the benefit of Howell residents that Kirchhof and Walsh have stepped forward to run against Lucey. A political campaign should not only include a candidate stating what he has done or will do for the community if elected; it should feature debate among candidates on issues of importance to residents. With Lucey, Kirchhof and Walsh in the race, Howell residents should see a spirited discussion of issues.