So we did better than other towns, but 21 percent?

Eight out of 10 eligible Dracut voters couldn't be bothered going out to vote for one of these candidates?

Well, I voted, and like everyone else I had winners and losers.

The big ticket in this one was the selectmen's race and in the end it really wasn't that close. Joe DiRocco received just under 60 percent of the vote, a blowout by most political standards.

DiRocco's win is even more impressive when you look around the valley. Most area selectmen didn't even bother to run, and those that did were either defeated or barely held on.

DiRocco's challenger, Brian Bond, did run an aggressive campaign, but did make some mistakes.

Rule number one in politics is never take information from a disgruntled former politician, assume it's true and use it against your opponent.

Bond violated this basic rule by using information provided by a former selectman that does a local cable show, challenging DiRocco's budget record as fire chief. The information proved to be inaccurate, and may have cost Bond any chance at a win. Ironically, the theme of this local cable show is to point out incompetence in government.

What is it the pot calls the kettle?

The other significant issue raised by Bond was the Veterans Park lighting issue.

Lighting of the park has been a concern for the neighborhood from the very beginning, so much so that they were prepared to fight the original appropriation to acquire the land.

Bond advocated allowing lighting of the park, a position that became controversial as the campaign rolled on.

The race for a single seat on the Dracut Housing Authority was decided by 35 votes.

Ken Cunha, a former selectman, defeated Bob Audet, and will join a board already split 3-2.

Rumors are that another member may have to leave the board for health reasons, leaving another vacancy and another opportunity for a shift in the board's voting majority.

The race for two three year seats on the School Committee was a close one.

Ron Mercier and Bonnie Elie will round out the new Dracut school board.

Give Paul Elmstrom credit. He ran a very close race and if he had about two more weeks, might have won. His campaign appeared to be gaining ground, and it seems every day, someone was asking about him.

The races for the two Dracut seats on the Greater Lowell Technical High School Committee were fabulous.

Four great candidates. Too bad we didn't have two more seats.

Watching this one was like going to an athletic event were the winners and losers both get a standing ovation at the end. Nice job, guys.

Warren Shaw is a former Dracut selectman who hosts a popular Saturday morning radio show on WCAP-AM from 6 to 10 a.m.