Meet Your Neighbor

Joe and Mary Average

February 11, 2007

'Middle of the Road' Citizens

Meet Joe and Mary Average, a "composite couple" based on some of the statistics defining Sun Prairie.

In their early 30s, they have one child. Together, they make roughly $60,000 a year -- she in an office, he in a factory.

Their annual household expenditures are more than $45,000, with the mortgage on their $245,000 home -- just over $1,200 per month -- by far their largest expense. This year, they'll pay about $4,800 in property taxes.

Last year, their utility bills added up to $3,300, they spent $1,750 on transportation-related items and their entertainment purchases totaled $2,500.

Do Joe and Mary sound like you? Maybe so, maybe not. This fictitious family is loosely based on averages and medians. Such numbers provide a "middle of the road" view of who we are as a community. Of course, some residents are far above these numbers while others are well below them.

And therein lies the challenge our local leaders -- and those seeking such positions -- face every day: Making decisions that provide for the best of all citizens.

As we enter election season -- there's a primary and referendum Feb. 20 and a general election April 3 -- it's important to make sure you are being represented. That's why Sun Prairie Today, as well as other area media, devote considerable resources to covering these races.

Take the time to read the candidates' positions on our Web site -- and then visit their campaign sites for specifics. Watch the candidate forums on KSUN-12. Attend a referendum listening session the school district is sponsoring. And then, don't forget to vote.

After all, in a democracy, no one is truly average. Everyone's vote counts.