Sunday, November 2, 2008

Another Vote that Counts



As people in Essex County prepare to cast an important vote for the next President of the country, they should also be looking more closely at their local races.

Obviously, who ever gets elected to the Presidency will have an enormous job ahead of them with all kinds of issues to address. The economy, jobs, cost of living, health care, the war in Iran are monumental in nature.

By now we all know who we think will best address these issues from our own particular perspective.

But there may be many people who do not take local elections quite so seriously.

Does it really matter to our lives who gets elected locally?

Well, yes it does.

How your taxes are spent, how your property is valued, and how your environment is protected are issues that will be decided on by your local politicians.

So the vote should not be thrown away or cast lightly.

One issue that is creating a great deal of conversation, consideration and communication in Essex County is the issue of the deer kill in South Mountain Reservation. The deer advocates have provided a brief synopsis of the candidates' stands on this kill.

The following people are running and are either supported or rejected by those opposed to the deer kill:

U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg opposed the kill and bear hunt in NJ. He deserves support for his outspoken criticism of both.

Essex County Freeholder Carol Y. Clark cast the only vote to abstain on killing the deer, while Donald Payne and Blonnie Watson were absent on the vote.

Essex County Freeholder Linda Cavanaugh heads the list of a no vote for her efforts to support the deer kill. Joining Cavanaugh are Patricia Sebold, Samuel Gonzalez, Bilal Beasley and Ralph Caputo.

In Maplewood, Victor DeLuca voted against the deer kill. Fred Profeta worked towards getting the deer kill approved.

In Millburn, Jim Suell heavily sided with Essex County in wanting to kill the deer.

Your life may not depend on who you vote for locally. But other lives do hang in the balance. If you oppose this kill, vote your conscience and support those people who take the lives and humane treatment of animals seriously.

No comments: