You get what you vote for, if you vote at all

It seems like a long time ago, but it is just a few months since we went to the polls for a special borough mayoral election. Well, 7 percent of us did.

What a pathetic turn-out that was.

Now we get to vote again. Not just for the borough mayor again, but for a number of other borough, school and city issues.

One issue that should bring out a much higher turn-out is the sales tax proposal. It’s hard to find anybody who doesn’t have an opinion on that one. If passed, it will have a dramatic effect on the community for years to come.

The $31 million school bond package hasn’t drawn as much attention, but surely voters will want to have some say on that one as well.

Of course there are some hotly contested seats on the school board, assembly and city councils.

It’s been pretty well documented that the youth vote helped carry Barrack Obama to the presidency almost a year ago. Let’s hope that enthusiasm carries over in the local elections where the people in office have a lot to say about they way things go around here.

Older folks have always been pretty good about voting and with some of the issues on the ballot that directly effects their fixed incomes they likely will come out. If you know a senior who can’t drive to vote, give them a lift. The same with people who may be disabled.

Everyone needs to participate.

Valley residents should fill the polling places today. If you don’t know where your precinct is, see the information box on Page 1 or on our website. A link to the borough website will tell you where you can vote. The box will also remind voters who the players are and more.

The polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you can vote before work, after work or maybe at lunch.

So there’s not much reason to stay away if you are:

• 18 years old or older

• U.S. citizen

• Registered to vote at least 30 days ago

• And reside in the same place where you are registered for at least 30 days.

Remember, voting is a privilege and honor that not all get to enjoy, and many sacrificed their lives to give us the freedom to choose our representatives. We can, and should, do better than showing a dismal 7 percent voter turnout on Election Day.