Last Saturday morning, there were plenty of refreshments in the boardroom of the Butler County Board of Education. Trays stacked high with doughnuts, muffins, and pastries and platters of fresh fruit and cheese accompanied coffee, orange juice and water.

There was plenty of seating, too – 84 seats, to be exact, waiting for members of the public to arrive and take advantage of the opportunity to meet with John Phillips and Allin Whittle, two of the prospective candidates for the county superintendent’s position.

It was the chance to hear their responses to the many interview questions posed by the board along with the questions they had for the board.

Not counting board members, the candidates and their family members, there were no more than 20 people in total who showed up for these receptions and interviews.

The fact these events were open to the public was noted both in print and online articles and in our paper’s Butler Bulletins on more than one occasion.

We realize Saturday is not an ideal time, but with our busy modern schedules, we are not sure there is an ideal time for such events.

We do think if you really want to attend something like this, you will make the effort.

We are sure some of you had already made other plans, or you were under the weather. Maybe you had to work that day. All these reasons are understandable.

What is troubling is the sense some who have complained the loudest didn’t make an appearance.

We find it interesting just how many people will voice their rather vociferous opinions while hiding behind the cloak of anonymity provided by a website comment board.

We truly wish there had been a better turnout at the receptions and interviews for Phillips (who traveled here with his wife from South Carolina) and Whittle.

There are two more receptions and interviews set for March 13: Darren Douthitt at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and Dr. Kathy Murphy at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

The coffee is hot, the doughnuts are tasty, and you’ll get a better grasp of just what these candidates believe is important, and exactly how they plan to carry out their duties if chosen for this very important position.

It’s your future, too.