Columns/Opinions

While most of Livingston’s 26 districts encountered little to no problems on Election Day, three encountered some trouble. District 13, in particular, sounded like a nightmare for the poor poll workers assigned to it and the residents unlucky enough to have to vote there.

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As we move past one of the most active local elections we have experienced in recent Livingston history – one with record voter participation for a mid-term on local, state and national levels – it is time for the community to turn the page and come back together as one.

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On Sunday, November 2, Livingston Public Schools superintendent Jim O’Neill wrote a letter to district parents, focusing on the “lack of civility in our public discourse,” and how it affects our students.

It can be all too easy for adults to forget that kids are always paying attention; hateful speech and aggressive discourse on social media, on TV, and even in person, has a cumulative effect. Children internalize these actions, and it inevitably frames the way they behave.

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This Sunday, November 11, is Veterans Day. In contrast to Memorial Day, which honors those military personnel who gave their lives in service to our country, Veterans Day pays tribute to all who have served in the military, past and present.

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day, which was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I.

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Five candidates are seeking three open Township Council seats; incumbent Democratic Council members Rudy Fernandez, Shawn Klein, and mayor Ed Meinhardt; and Republican challengers Debbie Burack and Brandon Minde. The incumbents are campaigning together, while Burack and Minde have each run individual campaigns.

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In advance of Tuesday’s local elections, we would like to offer our final thoughts on the Township Council and Board of Education races. We encourage voters to read the candidates’ final statements in this issue of the Tribune, as well as their statements in previous issues and articles summarizing the several debates and forums held over the past month, to make an informed decision.

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There is a plastic shopping bag that has been caught in a tree in the Tribune’s parking lot, flapping in the breeze, for several weeks. Even some very windy days have not been able to shake it loose as we wait for some kind – and very tall – soul to remove it. Another plastic shopping bag was similarly caught in some of the Tribune’s shrubbery recently. These are just a few of the many that have found their way to our property in the last few months.

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We have received some comments – and complaints – regarding a political advertisement that ran in the top left corner of the Tribune’s front page in the October 18 issue, so please allow us to explain part of our advertising policy on the matter as we approach the November 6 election.

A few readers have questioned placing a box ad in the top left corner of the front page, directly next to our West Essex Tribune logo, stating that it appeared like an endorsement from the Tribune for the advertisers.

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As Election Day draws closer, the Tribune is receiving a steady infl ux of calls, emails, and comments concerning the races and candidates. We are thrilled to see the township actively engaged in the electoral process and pushing for the men and women they feel will best fill the open seats on the Township Council and Board of Education. We expect big voting numbers at the polls and are waiting eagerly to see who residents elect to represent their interests.

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With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, and with two contested local elections on this year’s ballot – five candidates are vying for three seats on the Township Council and four candidates are in the running for two Board of Education positions – we want to remind residents to pay attention to the candidates and issues.

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