Perhaps at no time in the recent past has the need for quality city leadership been more critical to Mesa than it is now. We want Mesa residents to know as much as possible about the people who are running for a chance to provide that leadership, and The Republic's forum gives citizens an excellent chance to eyeball the candidates and give them the kind of job interview necessary for an educated vote.

We don't intend to have these positions vacant for any significant period of time.

Our first job fair was so successful that we're holding one more in the evening to accommodate people who couldn't meet with us because of daytime commitments.

One of the many pluses about these opportunities is that these jobs provide people a chance to work where they live. Successful applicants won't have the rush-hour hassles that confront many Southeast Valley residents who work in Phoenix or other parts of the Valley.