Leadership Carroll County provided an excellent training session for first-time candidates last week. The basic nuts and bolts were covered by a panel of those who know the ropes. All presenters were kind and descriptive about the pitfalls and the rewards of serving the masses.

There is a little more for first-timers to understand initially.

Public officials should - and will - be held accountable for their actions. They should - and will - be questioned about the decisions they make. Those individuals charged with serving the public must be open for discussion about a wide variety of topics.

Public officials must be available to answer questions from those who they serve and the media. And remember - do so in a manner that invites conversation. The public is not obligated to talk to you if you make that activity uncomfortable for them. They can and will go elsewhere to ask questions and make comments.

Future candidates…if you do not want to be held accountable, if you do not want to be questioned about decisions you make, if your mind is not open for discussion to help you make the most informed decision – do not run for public office.

Because if you do and you are elected you will struggle throughout your term. You will encounter resistance and distrust by those who elected you into office. You will not be satisfied with your performance and neither will anyone else.

It is a privilege to be elected by the voters and be given the opportunity to serve them. Remember how you arrived as an elected official…you did not do it alone and you should not serve alone. No one really is served when a public official forgets to remember his/her constituents.