If you think Halloween is a scary time just wait until Nov. 3 - Election Day.

Meantime, it's sure to get plenty "spooky" hereabouts with clever, and not so clever, politics.

Elections and Halloween are scary. If the face behind the mask doesn't match the style of their walking shoes -- beware.

Yet, the scariest part is we too often vote uninformed, allowing ourselves to be persuaded by yard signs and a litany of questionable rumors.

That vote ballot we hurriedly check, sign and mail could become the scariest "trick or treat" of all for the next four years.

Another haunting question is, "What do we really know about these people to whom we literally give our public power-of-attorney-vote to use anyway they wish-- sculpting and deciding our community and family's future?"

If the scare of Halloween toilet-papered bushes, soaped windows or turned-over garbage cans is a threat when we don't hand over the candy, imagine what political campaign influences can do when money and nasty rumors control voting results.

Presidential elections get top publicity billing, as well they should. Yet it's local political decision-makers who can, and will, quickly impact your life and future.

Think safety and security, water, power, sewer, businesses, new laws, parks/recreation, building rules/permits, and millions of dollars of taxpayers/voters money to spend at the vote of a majority of only four people.

Elections are a human-nature gamble. What we see and hear may not be what we want and get, after the love-fest of political campaigning.

Like marriage - hook up with the wrong one and we're reminded, "It'll cost ya!"

Public officials often work for short pay and long hours and all due respect is earned. Yet, qualification of candidates can be scary.

What do they really know about your community? Have they served on local government committees? Do they attend/research city council and local organization meetings?

It's kind of ironic we require our kids to pass difficult tests of "What do you know" to graduate from school - and not from elected officials who say they're qualified to make million-dollar decisions without asking, "What do you know about your community,"

A prospective employer is not likely to hire anyone without confirmation of their ability to increase the value of the employer's business, and work as a team member to the best interests of the company they represent.

The one candidate question that brings out much truth is, "If elected, you could only choose one local project to be accomplished in your term, what would that project be? How would you generate money to fund the project?"

A truthful answer will tell more than campaign tactics.

Money buys political power today. Even Abraham Lincoln could likely not afford to run for office. Worldwide honesty appears of less value than purchased influence.

Given that Tim Eyman submits unheard of ideas and some even passed - why not initiate a required employment application test for political leaders? If they don't know their community's good, bad and indifferent issues and planning - one wonders if the first two of four years in office would be dedicated to primarily learning.

Current Des Moines candidates for city council provide a diversity of interests and impressive backgrounds.

Sadly, they are working at the disadvantage of a council split over an issue that has now grown into our team vs. your team environment with the prize being a pre-planned four-vote majority.

The voice of the people needs to be heard.

Voters elected seven people to represent them, not four or three.

If these seven elected people are not committed to teamwork for the best interests of this community's future--- now is the time to start.

A healthy council brings different ideas, knows their subject, publicly expresses difference of opinion, and makes team decisions for one reason only-- the betterment of citizens, businesses, education, faith, charity, and to fulfill their oath of office without prejudice.
Halloween and Elections can be sweet -- not sour.

As humorist, Will Rogers said, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."