Three of the five seats on the Merced County Board of Supervisors are up for election in June.

Unfortunately, it looks like it's shaping up to be a pretty dull election -- and I can't figure out why.

Kathleen Crookham at first said this term was going to be her last. Then, a few months ago, she said she was running for re-election. Now she's wavering in the face of a challenge by former Merced Mayor Hub Walsh.

First-termer John Pedrozo has no known opponents at this time.

Deidre Kelsey has one stated challenger -- and no one in Merced political circles knows who she is.

Amazingly, it's possible that Merced County will begin 2009 with the same board members it had in 2008. I say "amazingly" because with the current board's dismal track record, you'd think candidates would be lining up three-deep in each race.

There's still some time. If Crookham doesn't run, it's possible others will enter to challenge Walsh.

I just can't figure out why there aren't more takers for a job that pays more than $90,000 a year. Merced had a robust City Council race last year -- and that job pays about $50/month. Why don't some of those candidates at least give the current supes a run for their money? Do we really want more of the same coming out of the county building?