Send Unger to Senate

Published in the Asbury Park Press 10/27/03 (a Gannett newspaper)

An Asbury Park Press editorial

Saying goodbye is never easy, but it is time for voters to bid farewell to Sen. Joseph A. Palaia, who has served in the Legislature since 1981. The clear choice to replace him is Brian Unger of Long Branch, the Green Party candidate.

In his 14 years in the Senate, Palaia has established an enviable record for constituent service but an unenviable record for leadership and responsibility. While other Republican leaders were calling on Sen. John O. Bennett III, R-Monmouth, to resign because of ethics problems, Palaia was thinking of his party first, the people second. He was critical of people who asked Bennett to step aside.

Unger has debated issues logically and forthrightly during the campaign. He was especially strong on the ethics issues that have dominated legislative campaigns this year.

He strongly favored an ethics panel to oversee legislators and agreed legislators should not be permitted to serve on it. But he went further, urging non-salaried members be appointed by university presidents instead of the governor.

On many of the ethics issues, Palaia as well as Democrat Paul X. Escandon and Libertarian Emerson Ellet agreed. But no one satisfied the broad spectrum as did Unger.

Unger also has taken the time to discuss other issues. He advocates consolidating or regionalizing many public services to reduce costs.

It's time for new blood in the 11th District and Unger can provide the needed transfusion.