EDITORIAL
By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
Locally, in Hunterdon County, the Nov. 2 general election features the following:
— West Amwell — Zachary Rich, Republican, is running for a three-year term on the Township Committee. Unless someone mounts a write-in campaign, Mr. Rich is the sole candidate for the seat now held by Democrat Frank Masterson.
— Stockton — Mayor Stephen Giocondo, Democrat, is the only candidate for that post on the November ballot. Michael Hagerty and Tim Nemeth, Democrats, are the only candidates for two three-year terms on Borough Council.
— Lambertville — Incumbent Democrats Wardell Sanders and Steven Stegman are running unopposed for the two available three-year terms on City Council. Elaine Warner, Democrat, is facing a challenge from Stephen Robbins, Republican, for a one-year unexpired term on council.
Because of the virtual lack of local contests Nov. 2, voters might decide to stay home rather than vote. They should not, however. Voters also will select a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, three members of the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders (one for a one-year unexpired term) and a county sheriff.
Lambertville voters also have a chance to say yes or no to a municipal question: Shall the City of Lambertville expand the purpose of the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund to include the purchase of land (located behind the CVS at North Union and Cherry streets) for open space?
In addition, the state is asking voters to say yes or no to a proposed constitutional amendment that would dedicate assessments on wages by the state to the payments of employee benefits.
In the spirit of fairness to all candidates and with an eye toward providing the best service to readers, this newspaper has established a set of ground rules for coverage of local election campaigns.
The initial raising of controversial or sensational issues in the “rebuttal week” edition, Oct. 28, will not be permitted. Without exception, only comments by readers and candidates on issues previously raised in The Beacon will be considered for publication that week. Letter writers must make reference to the previously raised issue they are addressing and the individual who raised it when submitting their letters to us that week. Letters of endorsement will not be accepted that week,
CAMPAIGN CORNER submissions (including letters) should be no more than 300 words and must arrive — by e-mail ([email protected]) or fax — no later than 10 a.m. Mondays. Those who e-mail letters or statements that exceed the word limit may be asked to resubmit them. All items will be subject to editing and must be signed by the writer. The writer’s daytime phone number must be sent with the letter for confirmation purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.
News releases and candidates’ position statements will be used at the editor’s discretion as resource material for stories written by the staff or in CAMPAIGN CORNER. Letters from candidates will be considered campaign statements and will appear in CAMPAIGN CORNER — unless their only purpose is to comment on news coverage of the campaign.
The aim of The Beacon’s election coverage is to focus on what the potential voter needs to know — not on what the candidates and/or their supporters want to say.
The guidelines reflect the reader-service objectives of all Packet newspapers in local elections, school and municipal. Comments on them are welcome and will be considered for the future as this newspaper continues to re-evaluate its policies and practices in an effort to produce the most useful news product possible for its readers.
Please address comments to: Editorial Board, The Princeton Packet Inc., P.O. Box 350, Princeton, 08542.