Hello North Kitsap residents. Fed up with the way things are done in your city, school or fire district and port? Think the officials representing you and your neighbors could be making much better decisions and should pay more attention to hard working taxpayers like yourselves?

Think you can do a better job?

Here’s your chance to prove it. The filing period for public offices opens next week and there is absolutely no better way to make an impact on your respective communities than to step into the political arena.

Is it for everyone?

No way. “Politics Street” is full of potholes, bumps, hills and seedy alley ways that not all are suited to travel through. It’s a tough neighborhood where one comment can hang over you like a black cloud for years. People will question your motives, your ideas and your vision for the future.

But those who have opted to navigate the route will be the first to tell you that the rewards easily outstrip the problems you will face. Ask anyone who has served the public in such a capacity and they’ll surely agree.

July 25-29 are big days for North Kitsap. They’ll mark the beginning of a journey for several residents here. Some trips will end abruptly at a “dead end” sign in November, others will continue onward down the road less traveled.

We thank, in advance, everyone who is planning to put their keys in the ignition and take this very important drive and urge those who are considering the same to do so. It’s a heck of a ride but it’s worth it.