Qualifying is now over. The ballot for the primary is set and the Local and State candidates are laying out their campaign strategy.

You'll be seeing more political signs than you'd ever want to, and mailboxes will be brimming with campaign literature (from the well funded candidates).

I offer this small suggestion as someone who held public office for 8 years: Make your vote count. You will find that the overall quality of life is affected by the level of leadership in communities. Make your vote count by doing a little research. It's obvious (by the fact you're reading this online) that you have Internet access and you're savvy enough to navigate around the web. Use that access and your skills to investigate those folks that are on the ballot.

Search the online newspapers. Read sites like Patch and the popular blogs. Spend a little time on Twitter and/or Facebook; you can use the search features there to read up on almost any person and any issue that you might be voting on.

Don't find out later you voted for someone whose ethics and or past behavior was well documented and found to be lacking.

Don't look at the pictures and overlook the credentials. Pass on vague descriptions of work experience and education. There isn't any substitute for intellect and experience. Make sure the person you vote for is equipped with both.

That's how you pay back all the people that have fought to keep our country free and your right to vote intact.