Although the winning candidates were not yet known at The Current’s press time, the results will be in by the time readers pick up this edition. To get local results, go to www.keepmecurrent.com.

While the debates stirred by political campaigns can sometimes be heated, it’s important to recognize that the disagreements and emotions that can sometimes surround elections are signs of a healthy democracy, which is, after all, a civilized version of mob rule.

In the media, and particularly at local newspapers, we feel the heat of the campaign season acutely. When candidates are upset about their missing signs or their opponent’s campaign finance reports, they call us. When readers are upset about the political views of a columnist or letter writer, they let us know.

However, as a steady stream of candidates made their way through our offices here at Current Publishing this fall, it was striking to realize how many hard-working people care enough about the future of their homes and their communities to put themselves at the mercy of public opinion. Political races can be exhausting and emotional, and those who are willing to subject themselves to them deserve credit.

Residents in Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth and South Portland had many candidates to choose from Tuesday. Most seats had at least two candidates, and many had three or four. Maine is one of the few states where independent and Green party candidates have a chance. Consequently, more names tend to appear on ballots here. That’s good for voters, if only because more people with a wider variety of perspectives get to participate in the public debate.

One notable exception to the surplus of local candidates was the Scarborough School Committee, which had three open seats and only three candidates running for them. The lack of competition led to a lack of discussion in that race.

Two of the candidates, Jane Wiseman and Jodie Lenardson, were missing in action throughout the entire campaign. They neglected to show up to a candidates forum in October, sponsored by the Scarborough Community Chamber. They didn’t respond to repeated requests for an interview from a Current reporter. The remaining candidate, Annalee Rosenblatt, was left to field all the questions about challenges facing the schools and what she would do about them.

It’s disappointing that in Scarborough – a place many people choose to live because of the quality of the schools – so few people were willing to volunteer their time to make sure the schools run properly with the resources they need. It’s also disappointing that two of the people running have so far declined to participate in the democratic process they voluntarily got involved in. We would encourage them to be more willing to communicate with the public once they’re elected.

One common theme sounded by candidates for the school committees and town councils in Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth was improving the relationships between the two boards. In Scarborough, the relationship seems to have suffered, in part due to lingering resentment over criticism of the high school construction project. In Cape Elizabeth, the boards faced off last spring over the effect the town’s spending cap was having on the quality of education.

The more the members of these boards communicate and work together, the better their relationship will be. There’s nothing wrong with healthy debate, as long as those involved don’t make it personal and everyone tries to remember that no matter who wins or loses, the schools will stay open, police will continue patrolling the streets and the tax collector will certainly arrive sooner or later.

Brendan Moran, editor