One voter's personal guide to elections

I have a few simple questions I ask myself before I back a candidate for any political position. I am a Republican and this letter concerns the 5th District Sussex County Council seat. I am older than 70 years and have been through a few elections.

Each of us needs to ask the following: Are the candidates young, passionate, and capable of maintaining the rigorous pace of an elected official? Does the candidate have any baggage he or she brings to the campaign, and if so, is it relevant to the position and will it be fodder for anyone from the opposite party to use in the election? And can the candidates honestly answer simple yes-or-no questions without skirting the question, using the Fifth, or trying to change the subject or simply telling the person who ask the question they do not know the answer but will get back with the answer ASAP. God bless America – we surely need it.

Charles "Skip" Derick

Frankford