While other local elections draw few candidates, Northport Village has had no difficulty in providing residents with political choices. But why? We asked that question of candidates who have tossed their hats in the ring of village government..

 “I think it’s healthy that the community has a lot of people interested,” Steve Wetherbee said. “There was a time when you couldn’t get anybody to run.

“It’s more contentious for me, but I think it’s good.”

 “I think it’s unusual ... we’ll just see what happens,” Rick Deering said.

 “I think it’s democracy in action,” Tim Kehl said.

 “To me, there’s a lot of people have self-interests and their own agendas,” Rick Burmeister said. “That’s not me. I’m in it for the village.”

 “This is very, very unusual,” Bill Brendel said. “So many times we have had to beat the bushes to get candidates.

“I thought we could beat all the bushes in town and not get this many candidates.”

 “The last two years have been diffi cult for members of the Council and those elected to village offices and for the village at-large due to conflicts and differing points of view,” Merilee Scripps said. “Having said that, I believe that some are now running to effect what they perceive as needed change while others have been coaxed into running.”

 “Apparently we have more people in our community that want to be involved in the decision making policies of our village,” Suzanne Wollenweber said.

 “I think it’s unusual and I don’t think the village has ever seen so much interest,” Joni Scott said. “But there’s a lot of interest in government nationally, too.”

 “I believe the ‘Silent Majority,’ many of which are longtime residents, are becoming involved in the future of Northport,” Fred Steffens said. “And people are feeling disenfranchised by the constant 4-3 votes and meddling of some trustees.”

 “The local elections are experiencing a similar trend as the national elections ... the citizens want choices,” Mike Rogers said. “And change comes with choices.”

 “I haven’t seen as much interest in the elections,” Barb VonVoigtlander said. “But I think it’s healthy.”

VonVoigtlander said her decision not to run for trustee may have opened the door for others to run.

“Sometimes people don’t think they have a chance against an incumbent and when there’s an open seat, it spurs people to take action,” she said.

— by Mike Spencer