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In each of the last two Greensboro City Council elections, in 2007 and 2009, more than 30 candidates have run for seats.

When it comes to some Guilford County offices, however, competition is often scarce. That's a trend that needs to change in 2010. This is a busy election year, here and across the state.

On the slate are five seats on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and five on the school board. Ten General Assembly seats representing portions of Guilford County are up for election. And local voters will choose a district attorney, clerk of court, sheriff, two Superior Court judges and two District Court judges.

All are important offices, especially as state and local governments continue to deal with terrible financial conditions. With flat or declining tax revenues and increasing demands for services, leaders will make tough and unpopular decisions. It matters that the men and women chosen to carry that responsibility have good judgment and are in tune with the needs and interests of their constituents.

Yet, too often, candidates are handed these jobs without having to win a contested election.

Commissioner Steve Arnold; school board members Nancy Routh, Alan Duncan, Jeff Belton and Deena Hayes; state Sens. Phil Berger and Stan Bingham; and state Reps. Earl Jones, Pricey Harrison and John Blust earned their seats simply by filing to run. No one challenged them, either in a primary or general election.

The same is true for Superior Court Judges Lindsay Davis and John O. Craig, and District Court Judge Wendy Enochs.

That doesn't mean those individuals should not have been elected or haven't performed well in office. But they were able to pass through an election without voters having an opportunity to really evaluate their records or consider alternatives. There was no debate of the issues or their qualifications.

It's certainly not easy to run for or serve in these offices. Campaigns cost money, and challengers usually start at a big disadvantage against incumbents. The reward for winning is hard work and modest pay, at best.

But sitting on the school board or in the legislature is supposed to be public service, not a career. Ideally, new people would step up to serve every few years, bringing fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to the job.

There has been no shortage lately of citizens willing to represent their neighbors on the Greensboro City Council. There's no reason why strong numbers shouldn't seek election to other offices. The result of more choices will be better government.

Filing for local and state offices begins Feb. 8 and ends Feb. 26.