I have said it time and time again.
Putting your name on a ballot for the purpose of serving the public is one of the most frightening things anyone can do.
You are putting yourself out there, hoping other people will respond positively to your message. I do believe most folks do it for the right reasons. In the end, someone will win, and someone will lose.
Having been in this arena for nearly three decades (did I just write that?!?), I tip my cap to anyone — on both sides of the political aisle — who put themselves out there.
Handling oneself with dignity and class during an election cycle is perhaps the most admirable trait to look for in a candidate, since it is very easy to become reactionary when someone takes a shot at you – warranted or not.
Believe me, I know.
The bottom line is without committed individuals willing to put their names on a ballot and serve, our governments would cease to exist.
No matter which candidates you vote for on Nov. 7, the important thing is that you exercise your civic duty.
Always remember your opposition, regardless of their beliefs and the possibility those beliefs may not align with your own, is a human being with feelings, emotions and likely a family — just like you. Once the election is over, we will still be neighbors, and there are no limits to the amount of good we can achieve by working together.
For all of those running for office in 2023, I applaud you and wish you good luck!
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I am really hoping to stay out of the news this election cycle, but I can safely speak for Township Council and say we will always go to bat for our residents, especially if we feel they have been disenfranchised.
We will be watching all our polling stations very carefully, so best of luck to Mercer County, all of our dedicated poll workers and Municipal Clerks… and the new Dominion voting machines!
Just a reminder regarding election signage via the homepage of our Township website at robbinsville.net.
“It is important to ensure that all candidates and campaigns remain in compliance with the Township’s ordinances regarding political signs and signs in general. Township Code section 142-48(A)(3)(d) states:
Political signs temporarily giving notice of political campaigns shall be set back at least five feet from all street right-of-way and property lines and shall not exceed 16 square feet in area.
While it is the responsibility of each candidate and campaign to know the locations of the right-of-way of each street, generally speaking the land between the sidewalk and curb and medians are government-owned rights-of-way.
Candidates and campaigns must refrain from placing signs in these areas and place all signs at least five feet from the sidewalks edge furthest from the curb.”
Additionally, Chapter 174 of the Township Code prohibits the posting of any sign in any public park or “on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park” without written authorization of the Recreation Division. Candidates and campaigns must refrain from placing signs in these areas as well.
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Mark your calendars for: Robbinsville Township “Shred Day” at Robbinsville Fire Department Headquarters Nov. 4; Election Day Nov. 7; Veterans Day Nov. 11; Diwali Nov. 12; Womanspace Communities of Light at RTPD headquarters Dec. 4, and our annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting celebration outside the Vincent J. Calcagno Senior Center on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Dave Fried is the mayor of Robbinsville Township.
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