The lack of a city-wide contested race, school board or hospital board election may give voters the impression that there's little, if any, reason to participate in this year's election, which begins tomorrow with early voting.

 While we're of the belief that every election is an important one, voters should be especially interested in one that has the potential to lower property taxes.

 Approval of a constitutional amendment on the May 12 ballot would permit the Legislature to lower taxes for senior and disabled property-owners who didn't qualify for reductions in the school tax rate approved by the the state earlier this year. They didn't qualify because their tax rate had been "frozen" by the Legislature several years ago.

 Freezing the tax rate is a benefit if the tax rate goes up. But can also be a burden if the rate goes down. The amendment would release the freeze, allowing seniors and the disabled to be taxed at the lower rate.

 Voters in two city commission wards have another reason to go to the polls. Incumbent Northwest commissioner Bradley Reynolds is not seeking re-election and the longtime incumbent for the Northeast Ward, Don Partin has drawn an opponent, Gary "Ty" Willis.

 Most of what we know about Mr. Willis has been gleaned from his response to a few questions on various issues, published in today's Sentinel, and information on his Web site.

 He said the most important issue is the city's future growth and development, adding that the city should demonstrate more "positive control" over the direction it takes. We agree. We agree, too, that the city has granted far too many "exceptions" to the sign ordinance.

 From what we've read, Willis appears to be an intelligent, articulate and conscientious individual, one who appears to be motivated by a desire to serve the public, not his own interests.

 While those are excellent qualities — qualities we wish every candidate for office possessed — he appears to have had little involvement in community service organizations or with the public at large.

 For that reason, we feel that Don Partin, as the incumbent, is the better choice. We haven't always agreed with Partin's decisions, but he has demonstrated some willingness to stand behind the sign ordinance in the past.

 He has been actively involved in the community, as a business owner and as a city commissioner, which we feel gives him an advantage.

 We'd hope that if Mr. Willis isn't successful in his first bid for office, he tries again.

 Although both candidates in the race for the Northwest Ward are seeking a city office for the first time, Randy Johnson is no newcomer to public office, having served on the Nacogdoches school board for 12 years, part of that time as president.

 Both Johnson and his opponent, Hunter Perry, grew up in Nacogdoches and working in their family's businesses — Johnson in his family's downtown furniture store, and Perry in his family's car dealerships.

 Hunter's father, Mike Perry, has pushed hard against the city's sign ordinance and has requested at least three sign variances at one of the dealership's new locations on the Loop.

 That might lead some to speculate that Hunter's motivation for seeking election was less about serving the city and more about reinstating flags, banners and whirligigs.

 What isn't a matter of speculation, but a matter of record, is his reputation for being a hard worker for a number of good causes and organizations here in Nacogdoches. We believe he's being sincere when he says he'll be fair and impartial when making decisions.

 We're certain that Randy Johnson is being sincere where he says he wouldn't shirk from doing what he thinks is best for Nacogdoches.  That's a good philosophy in some instances. But it's important to remember that Johnson won't be the only one making decisions. When working with a group of individuals, sometimes what's best is to be able to build a consensus, or work as a team.

 Our choice is Hunter Perry.

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Another proposition that has the potential to save some county residents money on homeowner's insurance, as well as their home and belongings, as well as their health and safety, is the establishment of two emergency services districts.

 The creation of taxing entities would raise money for volunteer fire departments and first responders in two districts. ESD 3 will fund the Central Heights and Appleby VFDs and first responders, while ESD 4 will benefit the South Nacogdoches, Lake Nacogdoches and Loco Valley VFDs.

 The money raised by an ESD would allow fire departments to buy better equipment, increasing their ability to put out fires quickly, which could lower property insurance rates.

 Taxes would not exceed 3 cents per $100 valuation, according to Nacogdoches County election order. That's about $30 a year on a house valued on the tax roll at $100,000.

 Considering that better emergency services could save a life as well as property, that's a pretty small price to pay.