Campaign signs littering the roadways don’t do much to help voters make an informed choice in the May 17 primary election. Voters need to hear the candidates speak on issues or read about their views and qualifications in the newspaper.

For many years, the League of Women Voters sponsored public forums to help voters take stock of the candidates. But the demise of the local branch of that nonpartisan political organization left a void. Thankfully, the Butler Area Chamber of Commerce has stepped forward to fill that void — at least in terms of hosting candidate forums.

On May 2, the Legislative Action Committee of the Chamber hosted a public forum for Butler mayoral candidates as well as candidates for Butler City Council at Butler County Community College.

Few would disagree that Butler is at a crossroads, with the paths ahead being either continued slow decline or newly energized efforts at revitalization and bringing life to the city again.

Mayoral candidates Maggie Stock, Richard Schontz and Drusilla Rensel addressed these revitalization issues as well as public safety, strategic planning and the city’s precarious financial condition.

City council candidates, including Democrat Kathy Kline, as well as Republican candidates Mike Kelly, Ed Green and Joseph Bratkovich, addressed similar issues at their candidates forum at the college.

The Chamber deserves credit for performing the valuable service of assembling political candidates so voters can hear their views and judge their capabilities.

This election — every election, for that matter — is too important to be left to which candidate has the most signs along the road or has the highest name recognition.