OTTUMWA — Four candidate forums, including one debate, numerous articles, letters to the editor, newspaper and TV ads and a great deal of attention.

Now it’s time for Ottumwa voters to have the last word in this year’s city elections.

A month ago, we asked Ottumwans to head to the polls to vote in the city’s primary election. Sadly, only 17 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot.

Perhaps, I’ve been told, they were waiting for the field to be narrowed from 13 council candidates to six; and four mayoral candidates to just two.

Well the field has shrunk and it’s now your chance to make a lasting decision.

If you haven’t already cast an absentee ballot, you have today to do so at the courthouse or you can go to your polling location from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and make a difference in Ottumwa’s future.

If you know someone who is unable to make it to the polls themselves, give them a ride or make arrangements to get them there safely.

Knock on your neighbor’s door and ask if he/she has voted. If they haven’t, take them to the polls and then out for supper.

Do whatever it takes to get your friends and family out to the 10 polling locations throughout Ottumwa.

And if you don’t live in Ottumwa but reside in another community, your responsibility is just as great. Pull the level, color the oval, touch the screen and cast a vote for who will ultimately have a direct impact on your life.

The decisions a council and mayor make will impact you from street safety to property tax rates to quality-of-life issues.

Who do you want making those decisions?

Who will best represent the city in attracting new business and industry to town?

Whose priority is his/her constituents’ concerns?

It’s up to all of us to make those choices.