I am writing this on Election Day after being the third voter at Town Hall this morning. Before we know the outcome of our town’s mayoral and council races, no matter who wins, especially no matter who becomes the new mayor, our town governance will change – and I hope utterly.

Ball lightning has been shuckin’ and jivin’ through Shepherdstown for weeks now. “Everybody’s talking,” as that song goes. It will surely be the largest turnout ever for town elections. Because, for the first time in my decade here, the unsaid is being articulated; the buried words and grievances arising; direct articulating democracy is in action. I have loved the verbal light show.

The last town council meeting seemed to have much presentation of all that the council has accomplished. Some say it was to counter the belief that it does “nothing” and as the second opinion joke goes, “and it is not transparent about it.” If Jim Auxer wins, I predict that he will never say again what he has been heard to say, “No one knows what I do.”

There will be new town council members and reelected current ones who wanted James Gatz to win. If he doesn’t, they can push internally for moving the town in new ways. I think we townsfolk for Gatz (and certain others) can stay active as a force for the right change within.

Do petitions. Show up more at town council and ask pointed questions. Write more letters to the papers and to the town. We can show more residents all the positive achievements made and secure an easy majority next election. We can and should do this if Gatz wins, too.

I am leaving up my yard signs and if those for Gatz – if he has lost – do the same, we have a movement.

Mark Kohut, of Shepherdstown