Webster’s dictionary defines civility as courtesy, politeness, a polite act or expression.

I saw a lot of civility at Monday night’s Meet the Candidates event at the Scioto County Welcome Center, and it did my heart good.

Only a couple of mayoral candidates chose to take pot shots at their opponent. Jane Murray went after Jim Kalb, and Jim Kalb made some remarks about Murray. Thankfully, Jerry Skiver stayed out of the fray.

I was happy to see Murray and Kalb shake hands at the end of the session.

I was impressed with the mutual respect I saw from Steve Mowery and James Scott Smith, candidates for Municipal Judge.

Bob Mollette is refreshing because he is exactly who he is. At Monday’s meeting he was the same person he is all year long. He wants the public to be heard, and does not want to just rubber stamp anything without a full explanation. Some people see that as being an obstructionist. Whether you agree or disagree with him, I can tell you, it is rather enjoyable to hear an occasional “no” vote. It’s obvious that with wanting to read all the fine print before voting for something, he probably would never make it in the current congress.

By the way, it was my first exposure to Nick Basham, Mollette’s opponent, and he seems to be an intelligent articulate young man who has one of the most important jobs in America. He is an educator.

Kevin Johnson and Mike Mearan, vying for the Third Ward job, differed on the subject of committees. It drew a clean contrast without a display of pettiness.

There is a lot we could learn from Monday night’s program — respect goes a long, long way. What if, and I’m only saying, what if everyone actually started listening to each other instead of pushing an agenda. What if nothing got passed without a full explanation and a full opportunity for the public to be heard? In theory, that would work as long as the people being heard had the genuine interest of the overall good of the city at heart. The problem is that many of the people in the community have just as many agendas as the officeholders. It’s time for those citizens to start practicing civility as well.

I would like to see joint statements from opposing candidates in which they tell the public they have the same goal, just different ways of achieving it.

I would like for each side to put themselves in their opponent’s shoes for a day and attempt to understand their views.

I would like for somebody in city government to actually sit down with Larry Essman and let him tell them face to face of the terror that grips his life everytime a major rain strikes the area of Grandview Avenue. Then maybe someone could explain why that project doesn’t get top priority.

I would like for some really neutral economics brains, maybe from the faculty at Shawnee State University, meet with city officials and help them map out a five-year plan.

There wasn’t a single person on the panel Monday night who is not caring and concerned. I would just like to see their opponents recognize that in them, and share it with the community.

How amazing would be to have a joint news conference in which both candidates stood side by side and told the public they will support the other one if the other one wins the election.

It did my heart good to hear Mowery and Smith compliment each other. There is no reason why this could not be done by everyone involved.

Let’s bring civility back to political campaigns and give the people in the community something to believe in for the future of the city of Portsmouth.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.