The turnover in leading party councils this week is enormous, largely thanks to a recent, unwritten rule that officials older than 70 should step down.

"As the conflict roiled, federal officials stepped in on some of the biggest environmental cases in the Chicago area."

Given the current political climate, few officials have stepped forward to defend immigrants' rights to welfare benefits.

Both districts have been without a senator since early January, when their elected officials stepped aside to take other positions.

The scowling official stepped from the car and started toward the steps.

In addition to the dismissal of the president, David Glenn, the company's two other most senior officials also stepped down abruptly.

The official, a smart, keen-faced young fellow, stepped into the room.

By last fall, the agreement was near its breaking point, when high officials of the two companies stepped in.

Many fear that indifferent or fearful officials from the national to the local level will not step in to guarantee free and fairelections.

Some officials, unnerved by a particularly gruesome incident last year, are stepping forward to complain.