Next week Goochland polls will be open for citizens to cast their vote for our community’s leaders. Over the past weeks and months, citizens have been subjected to a barrage of signs, flyers and commercials.

But beneath the shiny surface of soundbites lies the truth. And by listening to speeches and debates, we can determine for ourselves what, and who, makes sense to us.

Our political choices should be as informed as possible, as should all of our choices regarding local government.

The Gazette is giving our readers new tools to get, and stay, better informed about our county.

We have added two searchable databases to our Web site.

The first database, at www.goochlandgazette.com/index.php/data/government_salaries/, is a list of full-time government employees, their annual salaries and supplemental income.

The second database at www.goochlandgazette.com/index.php/data/school_salaries/ lists full-time emloyees and their annual salaries. Employees earning less than $10,000 are not included, with the exception of Goochland County School Board members who earn $5,500 per year.

Both databases are based on information provided by Goochland County, and during election and budget seasons, give readers new ways to discover how our government is using our resources.