With nearly three months to go until the general election — and the primary elections next week — things are heating up on both a local and national scale. 

All around us is commentary about actions or opinions of candidates. While we agree with the importance of forming knowledgeable opinions, we do not agree with opinions being shared disrespectfully.

While everyone has the right to have an opinion — and this newspaper welcomes those opinions through letters to the editor and guest columns — please avoid the personal attacks and mudslinging.

Let’s make sharing opinions a teachable moment — not a distraction from the real issues at hand.

Remember, there can be disagreement without disrespect.