By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Almost a year ago to the day, James Bergstrom stood before the Township Committee complaining about the way his side was treated with campaign signs along local roads.
On Tuesday night, Mr. Bergstrom was back again. This time he was pointing out what he said were campaign sign violations by the other side that were being ignored by enforcement officials.
In 2013, Mr. Bergstrom was a citizen leader in the Friends of Hillsborough Open Space campaign against a township referendum question. In the past year he has become the Democratic Party chairman in the township, and on Tuesday he was addressing signs for two Republicans running for re-election to the Township Committee.
Mr. Bergstrom had photos that purportedly showed a lawn sign on the Willow Road property of Mayor Doug Tomson. Mr. Bergstrom claimed the signs were in the street’s right-of-way — precisely why he had received a warning letter last year from Zoning Official David Kois.
Mr. Bergstrom said he only wanted fair play.
Mr. Tomson said he move the sign that night. He said kids liked to play with it and move it.
Committeewoman Gloria McCauley, whose name is on the signs, too, as Mr. Tomson’s running mate, maintained that the sign was on private property and therefore didn’t matter where it was placed.
That’s precisely what we were schooled on last year, said Mr. Bergstrom.
Township Committeeman Carl Suraci, also a Republican, said Mr. Kois went above and beyond last year by taking time to show FOHOS supporters how far off the road and intersection a sign had to be placed.
The whole kerfuffle pertains to only a short period of time when campaigners put up signs before the 30-day window that allows temporary political signs before an election.

