As a newspaper, we have always counted it a privilege to be involved in the local political process, including the endorsement of candidates for Patterson’s City Council and the Del Puerto Health Care District.

This year, however, we’re in a unique position, as a group of investors, including Calaveras Enterprise publisher Ralph Alldredge, are in the process of purchasing our publication. A federal bankruptcy court approved the purchase of the Irrigator and its sister publications last week, and there is a possibility that we may be under new ownership by the time Election Day rolls around on Nov. 6.

As a result, we have decided against endorsing any candidates this year, as our prospective owners will certainly come with new, fresh ideas of their own.

At the same time, we urge local residents to remain politically engaged and to pay close attention to this year’s political races and state propositions.

We’re including statements from this year’s two mayoral candidates in today’s edition and aim to have similar information from the remaining City Council candidates in the Oct. 25 edition. We also interviewed candidates for the Del Puerto Health Care District, which can be found in the Oct. 11 edition of the Irrigator.

We urge our readers to read these statements closely to get a grasp of each candidate’s vision and to take a look back at each candidate’s personal and political track record.

If the West Side is to move forward in a positive direction, we need the best candidates we can find to serve in political office. It’s up to members of the public to educate themselves and help ensure that happens.