It’s coming down to the wire to file for local elected positions, as well as a few advisory board roles.

The deadline: noon Tuesday.

Three positions are open on both the Ottawa City Commission and the Ottawa school board. If this year follows form, many candidates will file at the last minute. If no one else files, there isn’t even a need for an election because the number of people who have filed is equal to the number of open positions.

More than 40 positions are open throughout Franklin County, including:

• Ottawa school board — three board seats;

• Ottawa — three city commission seats;

• Central Heights school board — three board seats — districts 4, 5 and 6;

• Lane — three city council seats and mayor;

• Pomona — two city council seats and mayor;

• Princeton — five city council seats and mayor;

• Rantoul — five city council seats and mayor;

• Richmond — two city council seats and mayor;

• Wellsville school board — three board seats;

• Wellsville — three city council seats;

• West Franklin school board — four board seats — districts 2, 4, 5 and 6;

• Williamsburg — three city council seats.

Volunteer board positions include:

• Franklin County — Board of Zoning Appeals (Submit a letter of interest to Larry Walrod, Franklin County Planning Director);

• Ottawa — Accessibility Advisory Board — seven new board positions;

• Ottawa — Airport Advisory Board — four expiring terms;

• Ottawa — Board of Zoning Appeals — three expiring terms;

• Ottawa — KMEA Board of Directors — one expiring term;

• Ottawa — Library Board — two expiring terms, plus one resignation;

• Ottawa — Ottawa Recreation Commission — one expiring term;

• Ottawa — Planning Commission — three expiring terms;

• Ottawa — Tree Board — two expiring terms.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference or give something back to your community, the opportunity to do so is here. How about running for one of many open positions in city government or on school boards?

Local taxes, policies, laws, facilities, education, recreation, technology and more are among the multitude of issues to be tackled by mayors, city councils and school board members.

What are you passionate about? Can you parlay that passion into serving your community? Unlike decisions made by Congress with little apparent local relevance, virtually every decision made by local governmental bodies will impact someone, if not everyone, locally.

The jobs won’t improve candidates’ income and certainly can zap free time, but they are a perfect opportunity to make a positive difference for their respective city or school district.

First, however, candidates must file for office. Some can file for city council with their city clerk, at the Ottawa City Clerk’s Office for Ottawa commission seats, or with the county clerk for all other offices.

Nothing worth doing can be done without a little sacrifice along the way. The same goes for public service.

Whether you think current officeholders do an excellent, acceptable or below-average job, this is your opportunity to step into the ring and make a positive difference.