News-Herald Editorial

It has already begun.

Thursday night Rich Square and Woodland became the first towns in the Roanoke-Chowan area to swear in new board members and mayors.

Both of those particular towns welcome new mayors as Jay Jenkins took the Chief Executive position in Woodland and Peggy Risper became the top political officer in Rich Square.

As new mayors and new Board members take office throughout the region, it is a good time for citizens of local municipalities to redouble their efforts to make their hometowns a good place to live.

In some of our local communities, there will be vast changes on the board while others will see the exact same people take the oath of office.

Whichever is the situation, now is a good time to remember the town in which you live and become an active citizen.

There are many ways people can be involved in their local communities. They can work to clean up the community, volunteer to serve on planning boards and committees or help with special days and events.

Equally important for the towns is that the new members of the boards and the new mayors quickly educate themselves.

The North Carolina League of Municipalities is a good source for all of those who are serving for the first time. Those who have been elected should take advantage of the resources provided by the League and learn as much as possible.

Another key will be those who are veterans in their office continuing to work and educate themselves. The longer you serve, the better you should get in your role.

We welcome the new board members throughout the Roanoke-Chowan area as well as those who are returning to their post. We wish them long and successful political careers, but most of all we wish them success for the citizens they represent.