The best.

For the next 12 months, scores of local businesses and places and people will be able to crow from the rooftops that they’re the best or they’ve got the best or that you really, really like them.

Even years from now, they’ll be able to stake claim to bragging rights that not only were they once the best, but they were the original best.

That way back in 2006, they were part of the inaugural “Best of the NRV” class as elected by the readers of The Roanoke Times and representing all that is good and righteous and superlative about our little corner of the world.

You’ll never be able to take that away from them.

Like with Frank Beamer. Just as he will forever remember Virginia Tech’s inaugural season in the ACC as the year he won league coach of the year honors, he will remember the first “Best of the NRV” poll as the year he was voted best local hero.

No doubt both will be equally meaningful.

No doubt either it may also be a bittersweet victory in light of who was honored as local zero. (Sorry, you’ll have to look through the section to find out.)

And let us now officially fire the starting gun for 2007. Because this is just the beginning of what we hope will become an annual tradition, kind of like the Oscars or the World Series or the Super Bowl — only without the gowns, long speeches and silly end zone celebrations.

Who knows? Maybe a new best burger will ride into town the next time around? Or we’ll crown a different karaoke king? Or the fine folks of Floyd or Fairlawn will fare the friendliest?

So, our congratulations to the winners. Enjoy the crowing, while the campaigning for next year gets underway.

And may the best of the best win again.