A reader approached us this past week to ask why, in a recent story about Ellsworth attorney Patrick Hoffman seeking a commission seat, we had failed to identify his party affiliation.

It was intentional.

How does the old saying go ... government closest to voters is the best government. If true, it could be because parties aren’t all important at the county level — if at all.

Voters don’t much care if a commissioner is a Democrat or Republican — as long as their roads are in good repair and their property taxes are reasonable.

Fixing a pothole transcends party. And that’s as it should be.