EDITIORIAL: Let us help you become better voters

Our goal is to help residents make educated decisions and we need your help

   The mission of community newspapers is to be the eyes and ears of the community and to offer residents a voice they might not otherwise have.
   We take this mission seriously.
   Our goal is to offer residents of South Brunswick a spotlight into the community, into the daily and weekly activities of its various organizations, its schools and camps and athletic clubs, and the special occasions and events that dot the calendar.
   And just as importantly, we strive to give residents a voice in their local and school governments. We cover meetings, investigate the impact of proposed policy changes and try to take a look at both government and schools from the perspective of the people who live here.
   To that end, we are asking our readers for some help. The Post wants members of the public to directly influence the tenor of the debate during this year’s Township Council race by letting us know what you think should be the most important issues this year.
   Too often, newspapers and news organizations forget this. They get caught up in the horse-race aspect of the election, following poll results and attempting to predict the winners. Or they allow candidates to dictate the discussion of issues, allowing them to direct the debate. When this happens, election coverage loses its connection to the voter.
   We think elections should be about the quality of life in the community and what the candidates plan to do to preserve it and make it better. To that end, we’re offering our pages and Web site as a forum to discuss the issues of importance to residents.
   We will give candidates the opportunity to explain their ideas and contrast themselves with their opponents. We encourage candidates to write letters and offer position papers, which we will run at our discretion.
   However, this will comprise only a small portion of the Post’s election coverage. The bulk of our coverage will focus on the issues that South Brunswick residents identify as being most important to them.
   So we’re turning to you for help. What questions would you like to ask candidates? What issues do you find most important? What information about the candidates do you believe you need in order to make an informed decision on Election Day?
   The issues you raise and the questions you provide will not be published in the paper. Instead, we will use your ideas to determine how to proceed with our coverage.
   Each candidate will have the opportunity to meet with the Post’s editorial board and talk over issues. These interviews will be used as the basis of news stories and for an endorsement, if warranted. We also will consider other interviews, debates and written material.
   We intend to force candidates from both parties to address your concerns and not allow partisan bickering or minor side issues to sidetrack the campaign.
   It is your campaign, after all.
   Readers can participate by: Going to the Campaign Central portion of the South Brunswick Post’s Web site (www.southbrunswickpost.com), clicking on "Post Forum: Campaign Issues" and offering a response; e-mailing Managing Editor Hank Kalet at [email protected]; calling Mr. Kalet at (732) 329-9214; faxing the paper at (732) 329-8291; or writing to P.O. Box 309, Dayton N.J., 08810.