Choosing an interesting and timely column topic each month can be a real challenge. Just in the past week, much has happened that could merit community commentary.

We have seen the record heat and drought diminish after an eight-hour beneficial rain on July 18. We learned on July 19 that the long, drawn-out impasse between Niles teachers and the Niles Community School Board had reached a positive outcome. On July 20, however, the good news stopped when a deranged gunman opened fire on a packed movie theater in Aurora, Colo., killing 12 people, including a 6-year-old girl.

Then, on July 21, the Detroit Tigers surpassed the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central Division.

On July 22, university officials removed the statue of Penn State coach Joe Paterno from outside their stadium, and the NCAA came down hard on its football program.

All of these current events have impacted our daily lives, and each event could possibly merit the focus of my monthly column. (Well, maybe not the Tigers so much. I am a Cubs fan, after all).

But there is one topic that is more important and more significant than any of the past week’s occurrences — good, bad and purely evil — and that is the approaching primary election Aug. 7. Voting is sacred and the most important civic activity an American can undertake.

I continue to be frustrated and appalled at the incredibly low voter turnout in the Niles and Dowagiac communities in past elections. That is why I am clearly stating that voting is more profound and essential than any of the news that scrolled across our screens last week.

This voter complacency has simply got to stop! If you are a registered voter — and most of you are — get yourself to the polls on Aug. 7 and cast your vote. Both

Democratic and Republican candidates are on the primary ballot this year, so there is no excuse not to vote. Vote like your life depends upon it. It just might some day.

You never know what is going to happen next, do you?