This fall, we'll have yet another local election. In the 4th ward, voters will finally have the opportunity to elect their representative to fill the remainder of Dawn Zimmer's unexpired term.

Following Mayor Cammarano's resignation last summer, Zimmer served as both Acting Mayor and 4th Ward Councilwoman. After winning last fall's special mayoral election, she appointed county employee Michael Lenz to fill her newly vacated seat on the council. Now Lenz will have to defend the seat to which he was appointed.

We are of the view that Councilman Lenz does not merit the approval of 4th ward voters. Early this year, he famously declared that Mayor Zimmer and her council allies weren't elected to cut taxes. More recently, he championed the appointment of Tony Soares to a second board seat—running counter to the reform principle of "one person, one position." Even Mayor Zimmer has since distanced herself from the councilman's action.

So far, only Timothy Occhipinti has announced his candidacy to oppose Lenz in the 4th. Though a nice man, it is clear that Occhipinti doesn't share our fiscally conservative values. To cite one example, Occhipinti penned a letter to the editor, opposing Christie's proposed tax cap and "tool kit" for the state's mayors. (To her credit, Mayor Zimmer has endorsed these reforms—despite her prior endorsement of Corzine's reelection.)

It is our hope that a reform-minded fiscal conservative will step up to the plate. The voters of the 4th ward deserve "a choice, not an echo." Please contact us if you're interested in running, or if you know of someone who'd make a fine candidate.