The filing period is open for residents who are willing to serve on the borough assembly, school board or port commissioner. The Oct. 7 municipal election will feature a busy ballot, with eight seats for voters to fill.

Unlike state and national elections, which are driven by partisan politics and billions of dollars in campaign donations to influence voters, Wrangell’s municipal elections are free of partisanship, free of nasty campaign ads, free of unfounded accusations of voter fraud and, particularly important, are a good example of freedom of choice.

Voters make their decisions and the community accepts it.

Serving in elected office is not easy, even in a small town like Wrangell. Doing the job means attending lots of meetings, and not just the regularly scheduled meetings of the assembly, school board or port commission. There are committee meetings, community meetings and meetings with individuals, companies and state and federal agencies that have a stake or a say in the town’s future.

Elected officials in Wrangell are not paid, unlike many cities and boroughs in Alaska that pay a small stipend.

But it’s not about the money for people who run for office and serve in Wrangell. It’s about what they think is best for the community and volunteering to spend a lot of their time to reach the best decisions.

All of which is a long-winded way of saying that if you believe in something for the town, whether waterfront development, the school budget, harbor improvements or utility services, now is the time to consider running for office. The deadline to file a declaration of candidacy is Aug. 29.

And if you don’t want to run for office — whether no time, other obligations or just not the type to stand on the public stage — that’s OK too. But maybe take a moment next time you see an elected official to thank them for volunteering.

Even when you disagree with their decisions, they deserve a thank you for their work, for attending all those meetings, and for trying to reach the right answers.