Post by admin on Jul 5, 2008 14:40:40 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080705/NEWS/807050371/1285/LOCAL09
Candidates to shun campaign signs
Both sides say they'll go green
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Like many other politicians these days, the two challengers seeking seats on the Township Committee are running on an environ-mentally friendly platform.
But you won't read about it on any green signs on your neighbor's front lawn or as you're driving on Route 9.
Instead, you're more likely to learn about Democrats Jennie Jeannette "JJ" Mistretta and Doris Lin's promises on recycled mailings, at a house party or when they knock on your door one day.
Mistretta and Lin's campaigns have gone green, and recently they asked their opponents to follow their lead by not putting up political lawn signs. Before an election, the signs clutter the roads. Then after the vote, the signs often become litter if they are not picked up quickly, Lin and Mistretta contend.
"The signs are all over. It's just visual pollution," Mistretta said.
Self-described environmentalists, the candidates said they wanted to take a stand against the signs.
"We want to make a point," Mistretta said.
The incumbent Republicans — this year's mayor,Eugene Golub, and Deputy Mayor David Salkin — are more than willing to go along with the request. After all, it was the policy years ago — a gentlemen's agreement of sorts — to do away with political signs, until the pact was broken, they said.
"We're perfectly happy not to (use lawn signs)," Golub said.
Many political candidates are focusing on the environment these days, said Jeff Tittel, the director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter. More are using recyclable materials for their campaign literature, and some even use soy ink, he said.
But while running an environmentally-conscious campaign is good, what really matters is what candidates plan to do once they are in office, Tittel said. Using recyclable material may be commendable, but, Tittel said, "More important, it's what the materials will say."
If elected, Lin said she and Mistretta would like to see the township explore options such as utilizing solar power and improving recycling. Open-space preservation is another priority, she said.
For the incumbents, their emphasis on open-space preservation is a prime example of the importance Salkin said they have long placed on environmental issues in the township.
"It's fine to talk about this green campaign, but we have a record of being green," Salkin said of himself and Golub.
Salkin and Golub led a committee that devised an Open Space and Recreation Master Plan in 1997, the first ever approved by the state, Salkin said. The plan outlined the town's land-preservation goals.
Since then, thousands of acres in the township have been protected from development, Salkin said.
"We have a proven record of being green and environmentally friendly," Salkin said.
Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com
Candidates to shun campaign signs
Both sides say they'll go green
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Like many other politicians these days, the two challengers seeking seats on the Township Committee are running on an environ-mentally friendly platform.
But you won't read about it on any green signs on your neighbor's front lawn or as you're driving on Route 9.
Instead, you're more likely to learn about Democrats Jennie Jeannette "JJ" Mistretta and Doris Lin's promises on recycled mailings, at a house party or when they knock on your door one day.
Mistretta and Lin's campaigns have gone green, and recently they asked their opponents to follow their lead by not putting up political lawn signs. Before an election, the signs clutter the roads. Then after the vote, the signs often become litter if they are not picked up quickly, Lin and Mistretta contend.
"The signs are all over. It's just visual pollution," Mistretta said.
Self-described environmentalists, the candidates said they wanted to take a stand against the signs.
"We want to make a point," Mistretta said.
The incumbent Republicans — this year's mayor,Eugene Golub, and Deputy Mayor David Salkin — are more than willing to go along with the request. After all, it was the policy years ago — a gentlemen's agreement of sorts — to do away with political signs, until the pact was broken, they said.
"We're perfectly happy not to (use lawn signs)," Golub said.
Many political candidates are focusing on the environment these days, said Jeff Tittel, the director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter. More are using recyclable materials for their campaign literature, and some even use soy ink, he said.
But while running an environmentally-conscious campaign is good, what really matters is what candidates plan to do once they are in office, Tittel said. Using recyclable material may be commendable, but, Tittel said, "More important, it's what the materials will say."
If elected, Lin said she and Mistretta would like to see the township explore options such as utilizing solar power and improving recycling. Open-space preservation is another priority, she said.
For the incumbents, their emphasis on open-space preservation is a prime example of the importance Salkin said they have long placed on environmental issues in the township.
"It's fine to talk about this green campaign, but we have a record of being green," Salkin said of himself and Golub.
Salkin and Golub led a committee that devised an Open Space and Recreation Master Plan in 1997, the first ever approved by the state, Salkin said. The plan outlined the town's land-preservation goals.
Since then, thousands of acres in the township have been protected from development, Salkin said.
"We have a proven record of being green and environmentally friendly," Salkin said.
Kim Predham: (732) 308-7752 or kpredham@app.com
