Now it’s the voters’ chance to make the key decisions

EDITORIAL

By Ruth Luse
   On Tuesday, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Valley voters will join their neighbors across the state at the polls, where they will make some key general election decisions guaranteed to have impacts on the future — not only for local towns, but also for county, state and nation.
   Only in Hopewell Borough, where there are no contests for two open council seats, has the campaign season been without fanfare locally. In both Hopewell Township and Pennington, pre-election campaign battles have been fought on the pages of this newspaper, as well as across backyard fences and over the Internet, we’re sure.
   Those who have not yet had the chance to see the local candidates in action still have a chance to catch the Oct. 19 League of Women Voters’ Candidates’ Night on local cable TV (Comcast Channel 19). Scheduled airing times that remain are: today (Nov. 2) at noon and 5 p.m. and Nov. 3 at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
   In Hopewell Township, there are two men seeking the one open seat on the Township Committee. Also in Hopewell Township, voters will decide whether or not they want to OK a local decrease in the tax levy for open space, recreation, farmland and historic preservation.
   In Pennington, there is a race for mayor — an unexpired term that runs to Dec. 31, 2007. Also in Pennington, there are races for two open council seats.
   In addition, local voters will help pick county officials, a U.S. congressman for the 12th District and a U.S. senator for New Jersey.
   And voters should go to the polls prepared to cast ballots on three state questions, explained on sample ballots and briefly in an HVN account this week.
   Last year at this time, township voters were about to make a decision on a possible change in form of government and, statewide, voters were thinking about whom to vote for in the gubernatorial race. The decisions to be made this year are no less important!
   We urge Valley voters to make time Tuesday to go to the polls. This is your once-a-year chance to have some say about people who and issues that affect your lives in one way or another daily.