By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
This year, it’s campaign signs, letters to the editor and cyberspace.
Board of Education candidates Thomas Kinst, Nick Pampani, Marc Rosenberg, and David Wald took their campaigns to the Internet, creating campaign Web sites or using Facebook, the social networking Web site, to connect with voters.
Though several of the candidates said they are using traditional campaign methods — signs around town, letters to the newspaper, or door-to-door canvassing — they agreed the Internet allows residents to learn about their positions, without meeting face-to-face.
Mr. Kinst and Mr. Pampani have Facebook groups for their respective campaigns, while Mr. Rosenberg and Mr. Wald have both Web sites and Facebook groups.
”It’s easy to use, and it’s one of the leading social networking sites,” Mr. Kinst said of his Facebook group (click here to see his site). “It allows me to post my thoughts, positions, and backgrounds. More importantly, it allows residents to give feedback. I see it as an easy and innovative way to stay connected with the residents of Hillsborough.”
Mr. Kinst has not received feedback from the 11 members in his Facebook group, but did receive an e-mail from a middle school student, he said. He included a meet-the-candidate section, a section where group members can ask him questions, and copies of letters to the editor, he said.
Mr. Pampani’s Facebook group (click here ), includes several messages from Mr. Pampani.
Both options reach voters, though the scope can vary — while anyone can view a campaign Web site, Facebook requires an account to create or access site content, including the candidates’ groups. Like a normal campaign Web site, candidates choose the content for the Facebook groups, and list any form of contact information they wish.
For Mr. Rosenberg, having a campaign Web site and a Facebook allows him to present his position through the two sites, and e-mails to interested parties. His Web site, http://www.MARCforBOE.com, figures prominently on his campaign signs, and is referenced on his Facebook group, (click here ). In addition to building Hillsborough’s technology affinity, his Web site allows him to reach more people than a traditional mailing or door-to-door canvassing.
”I decide to do most of my campaigning in cyberspace, on the Web, to be greener, save paper, and to reach more people,” he said. “ … I felt like I could tell a better story on a Web site, more efficiently, and at less cost to me as a candidate.”
The Web site allows Mr. Rosenberg to be more detailed when responding to queries or explaining his positions, he said. Other aspects of his campaign — including his Facebook and the signs posted around town — include the address for his Web site.
Each method has its merits and faults, he said. The Facebook allows him to reach district alumni, and includes links on obtaining an absentee ballot. But with any Internet-based media, keeping the information current is vital.
”You have to maintain it, you have to keep it up to date,” Mr. Rosenberg said. “You’ve got to keep it fresh and work at it.”
Since it began in 2004 as a social site for college students, Facebook draws many younger voters, including high school and college students, and recent college graduates. After adding workplace networks in 2006, membership with the site has grown steadily, and topped 175 million active users in 2009, a timeline on the site states.
Mr. Wald used Facebook prior to taking his campaign to the site he said—and it allows another venue to reach voters. He uses his Facebook group, (here ), more than his Web site, http://www.davewald.com/Election.html, he said.
”I have a personal Facebook, and I spend a lot of time on there networking with friends, colleagues,” Mr. Wald said. “I’ve noticed a lot of campaigns starting to use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, and decided that was the way to go.”
”I just think it’s another tool that allows people to freely communicate or ask questions,” he added. “People tend to be not as shy in front of a keyboard.”
Mr. Wald posts weekly updates on his group he said, and has received several messages from residents through the site. He’s been attending school events, and would be canvassing door-to-door.
But like the more traditional methods of campaigning, the candidates’ success depends on the voters and the results of the April 21 elections.
”It’s been very interesting and I’ve learned a lot,” Mr. Rosenberg said of taking his campaign to the Web. “I think, for good or bad, we’ve become a very online society. We saw in the November campaign with Obama and McCain. Obama did an amazing job of communicating through the Web.”

