It was very encouraging that so many of you attended the political candidates’ forum at the Kirbo Center on Thursday night. We, at The Post-Searchlight, initially started throwing around the idea about hosting such a forum several weeks ago when the candidates’ qualifying period was about to expire and I am glad we made the decision to move forward with the event.

I am thankful that Kevin Dowdy and the Live 101.9 radio station agreed to partner with us to host the event, and I hope the participants and attendees benefited from the forum.

Candidates from the Decatur County Sheriff’s race, both Decatur County Commission races, and both Decatur County Board of Education races were present.

Each candidate answered three questions and presented a closing statement. I would have liked to been able to ask more than three questions to each of the participants, but with 11 candidates in the five different races, time would have become a factor.

Thanks to each of the 11 candidates for attending and participating. In my view, each represented themselves well and gave voters reasons to earn votes. Obviously, only one candidate in each race will be successful, but I applaud each candidate for getting involved, putting his or her name on the ballot, and running the race.

It was unfortunate that Winston Rollins, the incumbent in District 3 of the Board of Education, chose not to participate in the forum.  Why he wasn’t in attendance is unknown, but he was the only candidate that did not participate.

Hopefully, the participants and the audience benefited from such an exchange of ideas and information — that was the main objective.

With early voting in full swing since July 9, if you have already voted, then I’ll say thank you. If you have not voted, please make sure you go to the polls and vote in this very important election. It’s our duty, responsibility, and privilege to be able to vote.

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It’s hard to believe that Decatur County Schools will open and students will return in less than two weeks. It seems like the summer vacation, or what’s left of what once was summer vacation, has absolutely flown by.

The first day for students will be Friday, Aug. 3, and the teachers will begin getting ready a few days earlier. Make sure not to miss next Saturday’s edition of The Post-Searchlight, which will include our annual back-to-school section.

Just about everything that a parent would need to know to begin the school year will be included in this section.

Soon after, on Aug. 31, the 2012 football season begins with an away game at Northview High School in Dothan. These Bearcat football players, band members, cheerleaders have been working hard throughout the summer to get ready for the upcoming season and deserve the community’s support.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the 1982 state championship Bearcat team. With a very successful season last year and tons of talent on this team, wouldn’t it be nice, 30 years later, to pull off another championship?

Jeff Findley is the publisher of The Post-Searchlight. You can email him at jeff.findley@thepostsearchlight.com.