Find a way to clear away political smoke

EDITORIAL: Voters need to focus on candidates, not rhetoric.

By:
   It probably comes as no surprise to followers of politics in Millstone that this year’s race for Township Committee has grown increasingly acrimonious.
   The annual return of personal attacks and sniping in October in Millstone is about as predictable as the return of the swallows to Capistrano every March. Just not as festive.
   At the center of this year’s storm is the Millstone Coalition, and its role in the township’s political atmosphere.
   According to its detractors, the group controls the Township Committee and other municipal boards and uses its influence to gain favors for its supporters, particularly developers.
   Leaders of the organization, established in 1999, call the charges untrue, and label them sour grapes. They say the organization is a bipartisan community group dedicated to making the township a better place to live.
   These are the facts:
   • The Millstone Coalition accepts contributions from a variety of sources, the majority from developers and Township Committee-appointed professionals.
   • Coalition leaders do not dispute the fact the group receives contributions from those sources, but say none of the money is earmarked for any specific use.
   • The Millstone Coalition backs Township Committee candidates, both through endorsements and financial support. The organization has supported four of the five members of the current governing body — Republicans Evan Maltz and Cory Wingerter and Democrats Bill Nurko and Charles Abate.
   It is not uncommon in local races to see municipal professionals and developers support candidates, or provide contributions to organizations that in turn back the candidates. The latter instance often is preferred so a direct link between the two cannot be established.
   The question is whether this money buys favors at any level of government. Regardless of the answer, it certainly creates the perception that wrongdoing does exist, or might exist. That is why campaign finance reform has been a hot topic in recent years.
   But reform is not coming any time soon. In the meantime, the voters need to be diligent in finding out what they can about their local candidates — and not strictly from those who might have their own agendas to promote. Municipal government has the greatest impact upon the lives of individuals, but few pay much attention. In most cases, people don’t know the names of their local candidates until they get into the polling booth.
   Does the Millstone Coalition have any real effect, positive or negative, on the township? Residents, no doubt, have various opinions. The important thing is to make those opinions known on Election Day.