In North Platte election races, remember the experienced.

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There are critics aplenty of Mayor Marc Kaschke, but Kaschke has demonstrated pluck and ability in bringing changes to the Iron Eagle golf course. He has fostered a leaner but adequate city budget. The city has prospered under his watch, and most of all, he's been in the ring for four years and knows the ropes.

Challenger Dwight Livingston has considerable credentials, but has been less than dynamic in public appearances, leaving the public guessing what a Livingston administration would do.

On the North Platte school board, Jim Paloucek has done a good job of dealing with the storms of questionable administrative decisions and a difficult economy while aiming for academic progress.

Like Kaschke, Paloucek has become a target of complainers, but Paloucek knows the school district like few others who are in a decision-making capacity. He can be highly effective.

Challenger Jack Price, a former central office administrator, is likeable and knowledgeable, but has been out of the system for several years. He could be overly tempted to administrate from the board, a recipe for conflict, and his desire to keep top salaries in line would be questionable.

For city council, Dan McGuire is no spring chicken, but he also knows how decisions come down the pike at City Hall and how to impact them for the better. Challenger Andrew Lee has shown plenty of pluck, but he has no experience. Lee has hardly held a job and he could be overwhelmed by the responsibilities, the personalities and the size of the city budget that he would help oversee.

-- George Lauby, Editor