Thursday’s thumbs

A whole bunch of gratitude for good treats

Maybe it goes without saying, but we’re going to say it again anyway: Go vote if you’re registered. Go vote if you’re a Republican. Go vote if you’re a Democrat. Go vote if you’re a Libertarian or an independent. And wouldn’t be nice if we were all independents, making up our minds based on who the best candidate is rather than what party designation is published alongside their name?

Go vote if you’re young. Go vote if you’re old.

About the only people we encourage not to go vote are the people who have voluntarily made themselves ignorant by not learning about the candidates and the issues. If casting your ballot is tantamount to flipping a coin or throwing a dart, skip it.

Others, get out the door and vote. In the long run, it matters.

In the meantime, check out this week’s edition of Thursday’s thumbs:

The Bentonville City Council recently adopted a community plan that doesn’t dictate anything, but does provide guidance for the way the county seat will grow into the future. Such plans empower cities to develop with some level of predictability and desirability. We’re glad to see the town adopt its road map. Its popularity and growth will mean the ideas contained in the community plan will have plenty of chances to be applied.

Reader Carnis Jones of Fayetteville, but recently of Texas, says he’s filled with gratitude for the “wonderful welcome” he and his wife, Betty, have witnessed since moving in August. Moving after 51 years in Texas was scary, especially for a couple with physical disabilities require a wheelchair and walker. “There have been so many times that someone has come up to assist us with loading or unloading groceries, getting in and out of the car, opening doors, and more. The first week we were here, at our very first visit to Sassy’s, someone paid for our meal anonymously. All of this help has made Fayetteville feel like home in a very short time.” Particular acclaim goes to the staff at Northwest Home Health, the state Department of Human Services, PACES and SOURCES, which were all instrumental in providing care. “All in all we are just overwhelmed with the help we have received not only from the state but from countless individuals in only two months,” Jones said. “We wanted to express our gratitude and thankfulness for living in such a wonderful community.”

It’s hard to argue with the message, even if human rights activists probably won’t be pleased. A sheriff in Butts County, Ga., took state law regarding notification of the public about sex offenders one step further than most: He placed signs in their yards this week that said “Warning: No trick-or-treat at this address. A community safety message from Butts County Sheriff Gary Long.” “At the end of the day, I don’t care if they do like it or if they don’t like it. My job us to ensure the safety of the children and the community and that’s what I’m going to do,” Long told CBS News.

Sometimes for young people, all it takes is a little taste of an opportunity or a skill to make them realize it’s something they want to do for a living. A $10,000 grant from the Best Buy Foundation to fund NWA Fab Lab’s Tech for Teens program offers Fayetteville teenagers a chance to experience 3-D printing, laser cutting, woodworking and more. The program exposes young minds to new skills and ideas, and hopefully plants seeds for their future as well as the future benefit of the community.

Count us among those offering up gratitude for the fact all injuries in a bus wreck involving Bentonville West students Monday were minor enough to require only short visits to a local hospital. Band students were on board headed to Little Rock for the Arkansas State Marching Contest, which they unfortunately did not make. Fourteen students required medical care. With 128 students on two buses, this had the potential to turn into a tragic wreck. We’re thankful for the adult leadership and emergency responders who made a difference.

Kudos to the Washington County Election Commission for finding a quick and workable fix to a ballot snafu that left the Dawn Clemence-Greg Leding state Senate race off the ballot in a polling precinct. The seat had been uncontested for so many years the glitch wasn’t noticed. As soon as it was, the commission worked out a quick resolution that ensured voters got their say and that the candidates were satisfied. No human endeavor is perfect, but responsiveness like that shown by Washington County Election Commission officials helps to maintain confidence in our system, at home and around the country.

And finally, thanks to everyone who welcomed excited and perhaps drenched kids to their porches last night for a little spooky Halloween fun. What’s more fun than going door to door and being given sweets just for dressing up in a goofy or scary costume? For the folks who turned on the porch light and welcomed their guests, thanks.

And one really final Halloween query: Toothbrushes? Really?