This election offers five very strong candidates, and it is tough to decide who to vote for. I know four out of the five running.

You can be sure I spoke to the one I didn't know at the two candidate forums I saw them all in.

I have been asked for my endorsement as well, and I have had to honestly say that this is a field of five great choices.

No matter who is elected they will serve with passion and purpose. Many friends I've spoken to feel the same way. We are all listening keenly to what each candidate has to say before we decide who to vote for.

The crucial action we must all take is to vote. As we all know, every vote counts. In order to cast a well thought out vote, I urge you to attend candidate forums. Contact each candidate to see if his views match yours.

People who know me well know I think things through thoroughly before I make decisions. Here is what I can tell you about what I know or have observed about the candidates thus far.

In alphabetical order.

I served on School District Site Council with Alan Elmont.

Though many of our decisions were mandated by the state, we had room to maneuver some funds. This is when Alan became involved with the District Budget Committee. This is important. When funds are mandated to be used a certain way, it is very frustrating to get anything done. Count on Alan to ask questions, push for answers and to get things done. He's an involved parent. He understands the issues.

Mike Eskridge has the unique advantage of having served before.

He has been and continues to be involved with the schools. He is right when he says discussions about the schools occur in his flower shop almost daily. In settings like this, people say what they feel. I have been one such patron, with other parents, on more than one occasion. Go to Culver City Flower Shop on Culver and have a chat with Mike.

The days of having our elected officials at arm’s length is passe. People talk about loving Culver City for its small town feel. Live the small town experience. Participate in the process. Every one of the candidates has pledged to reach out to us and to listen to what we have to say. The election is the time to ask questions and to hear their answers. Then stay informed once the new members take office

Steve Gourley is another candidate with vast experience.

You can count on Steve to listen to all sides and work to improve our schools. He'll use his experience and various resources to accomplish great things for Culver City schools. Steve realized there was a need for leadership on the School Board. He has stepped forward to offer his service to improve our schools. Don't underestimate the power of social capital, either.

Roger Maxwell is one of the most dedicated, hard-working parents I know. Roger and I were two of three Farragut School parents who attended a meeting and a tour of the playground when we discovered the School District's plan to cut a path through our new hard-earned grass field. This allowed adults to walk from an already overcrowded parking lot to the new adult school facilities on Overland. Roger makes a point of knowing the issues and being part of the process.

The grass field exists today because caring parents got involved. They fought for what was right (first to get a grass field for children to play on, then to save it less than a year later). Sometimes issues are big. Sometimes they are small. But all are important.

I'll say it again. We need School Board members who listen and who will take action.

Scott Zeidman is the only candidate I didn't know before the election started. Had he gone to Lin Howe as a child, I would have known him then. But he went to Farragut (as my son did). I have been impressed by his dedication and depth of knowledge. Scott does his research. I liked his answers thus far, especially about teaching children so they can learn and be prepared for the challenges of college and for life as opposed to teaching them to pass a test.

These candidates have proven they are listening, so we should listen to them before we decide who to cast our votes for.

I'll be there on Thursday night. Will you?

Dr. Anderson, L.Ac., Doctor Oriental Medicine, served earlier this year on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the redevelopment of South Sepulveda Boulevard.