News-Record.com

As you may know already, County Commissioner Skip Alston is blogging.

So far, he seems to have made a serious commitment to the enterprise, posting entries on hot-button isues such as school construction and the proposed new county jail.

I wish him the best. It is helpful in Greensboro and Guilford County for elected officials to discuss the issues of the day in a forum that can reach so many so quickly. And that can rationally tackle issues more effectvely than a televised shouting match at a commissioners meeting (at least usually).

Of course, anybody can start a blog. The hard part is sustaining a blog. City Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson, now a mayoral candidate, authored her own blog briefly but shut it down barely before it had a chance to boot up.

Councilman Tom Philiips was a witty, topical blogger -- a natural -- but he said it took too much time and walked away.

When asked recently if he might fire his blog back up now that he's not seeking re-election, Phillips says he doubts it.

It's just a small circle of the same people, he said, whining and complaining and taking too much of his time.

But at least he was smiling. And we all know he's reading the blogs because he comments on them from time to time.

Meanwhile, it's good to have our first commissioner on the blogosphere. As a Baptist preacher is prone to say when opening the doors of his church, Welcome aboard, Brother Skip. Is there another?