Autumnal equinox: Softer light, fall rains, darkening days, long nights, early snows: A time to savor the beauty of the mountains, valleys and sea and to appreciate all the reasons we’ve decided to call this place Home. It is a time to reconnect with its people — those who have been here always, and others who have chosen to live here. We express in so many different ways what we value about living here. But the feelings are universal. 

Having people in local government who understand those feelings and commit to their stewardship is critical. Our infrastructure needs to reflect the needs of this diverse populace. It also needs to integrate the ideas, creativity, and contributions of community volunteers and nonprofits into that support. So much of what makes our lives here special has its genesis in unpaid imagination. 

All this requires a balanced assembly that is informed, good listeners and discerning in order to make decisions based on what is best for the entire community. This is why we’ll be voting Oct. 7 for Eben Sargent and John Norton.

Anne Boyce and Paul Swift