Vernon voters to decide on Open Space

VERNON — There are no municipal seats up for this year's election in Vernon Township, but voters will face an important question when they go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
The Township Council is putting before the question to modify ordinance 00-16, which limites the spending of funds collected for the Township Open Space Fund. According to the question, the fund had about $972,000 as of July 17.
Voters are asked whether they would allow 30 percent of the fund to be used for maintenance of the Township owned open space, creation and maintenance of public pathways for hiking, biking and horseback riding trails and to create amenities, such as public gardens, disc golf and bike pump tracks. It also includes the preservation and maintenance of cultural sites.
According to what is posted on the ballot, a YES vote will not levy an open space tax.
In Wantage, incumbent Republican Bill Gaechter will face a challenge from Democrat Susan Weiss for a three-year term.
There are four candidates — Dorothy L. White, Megan Steele, Jennifer Craig and Kevin Craig —for three seats on the Sussex-Wantage Board of Education.
On the county level, Republican's Sawn Fantasia and Joshua L. Hertzberg, both newcomers to the Freeholder board will face off against Democrats Howard M. Zatkowsky and Patric Correri, as ell as an independent bid from Newton Mayor Wayne Levante.
Garry Chiusano, a Republican, faces a challenge from Democrat William. W. Hart for a five-year term as county surrogate.
On the federal level, there are eight candidates for Robert Menendez's seat in the Senate and four candidates for Josh Gottheimer's seat in Congress.cc