Now is never a good time to take a step backward.

It doesn't matter if you're talking about the status of the national economy or your personal finances. It doesn't matter if you're talking about the win-loss record of your favorite football team (the Philadelphia Eagles) or the progress of a local municipality, no one likes to be caught in that moment when yesterday suddenly looks better than tomorrow.

In East Nottingham Township, Shelley Meadowcroft resigned from her position as a supervisor because some home construction work on her family's home is prompting a brief move out of the township. Since she won't be living in the township for a few months, Meadowcroft did not think it was right to continue to serve as a supervisor. The resignation is effective on Nov. 29, and the East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors will have to formally accept the resignation.

Meadowcroft has served the township with distinction since joining the board of supervisors a few years ago. She is hard-working and professional. The East Nottingham Township Board of supervisors, which includes Sam Goodley, Jr., Joe Herlihy, Art Rieck, Michael Watson, and Meadowcroft, deserves credit for moving the township forward over the last few years.

This township hasn't always been blessed with good leadership from its elected officials. Some supervisors have been fine, of course. But the township has had more than its share of ineffectual supervisors. It's had more than its share of terrible supervisors.

It would be a shame if Meadowcroft's seat on the board is filled by a substandard candidate.

That's why it's important for at least one qualified, capable individual to step forward to serve as a supervisor. If three or four such people step forward, that makes the job of picking a replacement even easier for Watson, Rieck, Herlihy, and Goodley.

Ideally, a township resident who understands the circumstances surrounding Meadowcroft's resignation would step forward and apply to fill the vacancy, serve four or five months, and then resign once Meadowcroft is once again living in the township and can return to the board...but that scenario is complicated and unlikely.

That leaves the existing supervisors with the challenge of trying to replace Meadowcroft. It won't be easy, but it has to be done.

Now is not the time for the township to take a step backward.