It's campaign season in Hillsborough! Did you notice? Letters-to-the-editor, campaign signs on every corner, internet forums overflowing with vitriol - all the good stuff!
Mayor Anthony Ferrera and familiar face Gloria McCauley are set to square off against newcomers Matt Dawson and Manny Foranoce for two, three-year seats on the township committee.
So what sort of campaign can we expect from these four? It seems like negative campaigns are the norm these days - unfortunately, none of the four candidates has a name that rhymes with "spender" or "dance", so I guess that's out!
What I would really like to see is a positive campaign of issues and ideas. Mayor Ferrera has a record of service on the township committee with accomplishments he can tout, and decisions he can defend. Gloria McCauley has served proudly on last year's Charter Study Commission, and on various township boards and commissions. Matt Dawson and Manny Foranoce each have ideas to bring to the table, and criticisms of the current township committee.
All four candidates have a vision for the future of Hillsborough, and strategies for making it happen.
And that's all you need for an absolutely positive campaign. You don't need personal attacks on a candidate's character, libelous claims of immorality, or misinformed charges of unethical behavior. Those are the tools of the desperate, and none of us are that desperate, I hope!
Yeah, I'm sick of negative campaigning also, but I'm too much of a cynic to think it will go away.
ReplyDeletehughes - I think you are right, it won't go away. But you will notice that I specifically mentioned criticism of the current committee - I don't think there is anything wrong with that. If the three challengers think Anthony or the township committee made poor decisions, or if they would have done something differently, let's hear it! Just keep it on the current issues.
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