Every two years, voters get the opportunity to change the politics of the city or town councils.

Fairfax voters, in November, took advantage of that opportunity, electing two former mayors while unseating two incumbents.

It was a decisive victory for Frank Egger and Mike Ghiringhelli, who had both been long retired.

A third incumbent, Barbara Coler, narrowly won reelection.

Now some voters don’t want to wait until 2026 when veteran council members Stephanie Hellman and Lisel Blash, now the town’s mayor, are up for reelection. Those voters are trying to launch a recall in an effort to remove Hellman and Blash from the council.

Local politics in Fairfax are unsettled, to say the least.

A recent public quarrel in front of Fairfax Lumber and Hardware involving Hellman and recall supporters is an example.

The run-in was unfortunate, but not a complete surprise.

Hellman holds strong opinions and is not shy about voicing them. She would, however, be wise to avoid stoking her critics’ fire.

The recall initiative is a divisive issue. Recall opponents have staged roadside demonstrations urging Fairfax voters to not sign the petition.

Backers of the recall petition are trying to capitalize on Hellman and Blash’s support for the voter-rejected town rent control laws, criticism regarding the town’s budget priorities, the town’s handling of the homeless camp at Contratti Park and a controversial proposal to build a 243-unit apartment complex on School Street Plaza.

This is the second recall attempt in Fairfax in about one-year’s period. The other failed to meet state legal guidelines for recall petitions.

In the 2024 election, town voters spoke loudly, rejecting the town’s rent control law and sending two incumbents packing.

Backers of the latest recall initiative say the town can’t wait until the 2026 election.

But they aren’t citing any instance of malfeasance, just differences in the way the town is being run.

Understandably, there are a lot of people who say that their concerns and complaints aren’t being heard by the council’s 3-2 majority, of which Hellman and Blash are part of.

At the same time, Egger and Ghiringhelli, although experienced, are still getting their bearings, including learning how the town is being run these days and new legal and budgetary requirements.

At council meetings, they are asking valid questions. They are raising issues. Neither are the quiet, go-along type. They also are finding themselves, at times, on the short end of 3-2 council votes. They aren’t silent and they are giving critics of the way the town has been run in recent years a voice. Even as a two-member minority, they will have a political impact on the way Town Hall conducts the public’s business.

All five of the council members have demonstrated their love for their town and passion for local government.

Fairfax voters had their chance in 2024 to vote for change. The ouster of two of the three incumbents on the ballot should send a clear message to the entire council. Wise leaders would seek possible ways to bridge political gaps that were made clear in the 2024 results. Both sides of this recall push need to show they are interested in making sure town policies and practices reflect community priorities.

Focusing on the need to build a homegrown consensus is a less costly and less divisive option than pressing forward for recall votes.