So you're in the voting booth in Tuesday's elections. What should you look for in candidatesfi

Picking the right officials is tougher than ever. Local governments confront problems that are much more complex than they were even a decade ago. Nowhere is that truer than in Utah Valley.

Consider that most basic government service, picking up the trash. Years ago, that fairly simple task could consume the attention of town councils for months. Then municipalities had to deal with recycling, a much more complicated job, and one at which many Utah County residents still balk. Yet, now, contenders for local office are asked what they would do about global warming.

The environment is indeed a crucial issue here, as is obvious on any day when there's an atmospheric inversion in the valley. But what can one town do about a problem that, by some accounts, plagues the entire planetfi The old slogan was "Think globally, act locally." But today, to act locally is to act globally. That really puts pressure on local officials.

With that in mind, we'd like to list what to look for, and what to avoid, in candidates. Candidates to be wary of are likely to:

Have that "deer in the headlights look." Don't assume a candidate has any grasp of the issues. It's astonishing how many local candidates don't. Once, perhaps, mayors and council members could get by with a good handshake and a slap on the back. Today that's a recipe for disaster. Listen to candidates speak, or peruse their campaign fliers. It'll become clearer who has a real handle on issues.

Spout too many cliches. It's impossible for politicians to avoid all commonplaces. But watch out for a hopeful who has nothing but cliches. One test: if you turned around the meaning of a candidate's comment, would it mean anythingfi Let's say a candidate's main appeal consists of, "I just love (town name here)!" Would any candidate admit to hating his townfi Of course not, so the professions of adoration are meaningless. And if that's all a politician has, in office he or she will be useless.

Have too much experience. Some civic leaders should be congratulated on their long, selfless service and allowed a well-deserved respite from the rigors of public life. Some rely too much on experience. What worked in 1987 or even 1997 might be as outmoded as a Betamax video tape player today.

Have no backbone. Tough choices lie ahead. Can a prospective leader deliver bad newsfi Candidates who only tell you what you want to hear, if elected, probably won't be able to do what they need to do.

One test we find interesting is Referendum 1. School vouchers are not a municipal issue, of course, but at one forum recently, city council aspirants were asked to stand or sit to show where they stood on vouchers. A couple of candidates responded by neither standing or sitting, but by going into a sort of crouch. That sort of response worries us. In office, our leaders have to decide. If they try to straddle the fence now, they'll be worse later.

Worry you now. In a town, you may know the candidate. Trust your instincts. If someone has a flaw now, it's likely to grow bigger in office.

OK, so what bodes well for candidatesfi We look for hopefuls who:

Know their stuff. This isn't about credentials or buzz words. Listen to the candidates for awhile and it becomes clear that some really know what's going on, and others have no clue.

Acknowledge difficulties. A candidate who knows the issues should also have some humility about solutions. We are leery of politicians who think all challenges can be solved painlessly. A candidate who acknowledges that most solutions will come at a price displays both insight and honesty.

Plan for progress. We know Utah's rapid growth has created problems, but look at anyplace that doesn't have growth, and you'll find bigger problems. Candidates should support rail transit, more and better highways and reasonable plans to boost business development.

Work well with others. Although our leaders must have firm opinions on some matters, they must also be able to practice diplomacy. Local officials work at close quarters; disputes can get personal fast. A candidate who is too outspoken can cause disruptions and animosity that can bring a council or a school board to a halt fast.

Accept change. We applaud the preservation of the best parts of the past. Change, however, can't be stopped. Nor should it. Some of the hopefuls we've seen have at least hinted that they'll put the brakes on the sometimes breakneck changes happening in the valley. But, for good or ill, our leaders have to be able to foresee change and cope with it.

There are no guarantees, of course. Any elected office is, or should be, a tough job. That's why we need to give our local governments all they help we can at polling places on Tuesday and in our towns in the years to come.

Do you agree?