Just an election warm-up for next year's main event

Suffice it to say, this has been one awfully odd election year.

No debates. Few mud-slinging TV ads. Literally no name calling.

Hey, the lawns in my neighborhood displayed more real estate for-sale signs than political placards.

Of course, there's the occasional Stockton-for-sheriff sign, the random Rokita plug and even a stray John Dale. Most prevalent are the blue-and-yellow signs for Connie Lawson, who actually was in a race for secretary of state.

Every 12 years, Indiana election interest takes a nosedive without presidential or gubernatorial candidates atop the ballot. Not even a U.S. Senate race to interest Indiana with those six-year terms skewing things a bit.

Almost had to write myself a note to remember to wear my American flag tie for Election Day.

Obviously, lack of any countywide contested races for Putnam offices (sheriff and commissioner included), virtually assured a meager turnout. Mix in 48-degree temperatures, alternating drizzle and cold rain, and Election Day 2014 turns into the electorate's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

But trust me, this is just the lull before the storm by all indications. Next year is already on political minds here.

Republicans and Democrats alike have been able to stockpile party money and replenish their war chests with next year's Greencastle city election in mind.

After all, at least five new faces are assured among the nine city government positions destined to take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

On the 2015 city ballot for the May primary and November general election will be the mayor, clerk-treasurer, the current five City Council seats and two additional at-large seats added by virtue of Greencastle topping the 10,000 population mark. That means Greencastle will then seat a new seven-member Council.

Of the current City Council members, only Democrat Adam Cohen, the Council president and First Ward representative, and the Council's longest-serving member, Republican Mark Hammer, Second Ward, have said anything about running for re-election.

Certainly Republican Tyler Wade, the newly appointed 25-year-old Fourth Ward representative, seems likely to seek the seat again in next May's primary, given his affinity for politics and government.

But Third Ward councilor Jinsie Bingham and the lone current at-large member, Phyllis Rokicki -- both Democrats -- have said publicly they do not plan to seek re-election.

Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar will certainly seek a second term. And it wouldn't surprise me if she's unopposed. That's a difficult job that requires much expertise and a head for numbers.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sue Murray has been adamant about serving only two terms, leaving the mayor's office up for grabs after her tenure expires Dec. 31, 2015.

Thus far, no one has announced his or her intent to run for mayor of Greencastle, although Republican Chairman Jerry Ensor has hinted he has a competent hopeful in the wings as the GOP hopes to regain the mayor's office. It's been 28 consecutive years of Democrat rule at City Hall -- two terms of Mike Harmless, followed by a record three terms of Nancy Michael and two terms of Sue Murray. So the Republicans have had 2015 circled on their calendars.

Yep, the political lull will all begin to change when the filing period for city primary candidates commences in mid January (dates to be announced later by the Voter Registration Office).

Until then, election junkies, I hate to make you feel like long-suffering Chicago Cub fans, but my advice is this ...

Wait'll next year.

It should be a doozy.