Panter and Karcher are right to support council change
Hunters from across New Jersey are descending upon Monmouth County in the hope of defeating Assemblyman Mike Panter and state Sen. Ellen Karcher in the election this November. Why are they doing this? Because Panter and Karcher proposed an ethics reform bill to democratize, modernize and remove the corrupting influence of profit from the hunter-dominated New Jersey Fish and Game Council, the state body that has power over our wildlife.

This critical legislation expands the duties of the council to include "investigating the use of nonlethal alternatives for dealing with wildlife conflicts, exploring eco-tourism opportunities to promote the state's diverse wildlife and pursuing opportunities to preserve land for wildlife habitat." Aren't these worthy goals?

The bill also requires that no council member have a financial interest in the wildlife they manage. This is ethics reform, yet hunters, outraged at this, are raising thousands of dollars to defeat Panter and Karcher and to keep their "good ol' boy network" intact.

Sadly, their Republican opponents, Jennifer Beck, Declan O'Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande, seeing an opportunity to raise funds for their campaign, have promised to fight this reform movement. They have told hunters they are "on their side." They even have written to hunting groups promising to oppose the council reform bill. "Rest assured," Beck wrote, "that when this bill comes before me … I will vote a resounding "no.' "

"No" to saving wildlife habitat? "No" to nonlethal alternatives? And a "resounding no" to ethics reform? Are these candidates so desperate for cash that they would promise to protect corruption and continue policies that are destroying wildlife and our environment?

Karcher, Panter and their Assembly running mate, Amy Mallet, have won the endorsements of environmental and animal protection organizations because they have pledged to make our state a better place for all of us. I am proud to add my organization's name to this list. Unlike the hunters, who seek only self gain and retention of power, we get nothing from this legislation save the knowledge that our state is better prepared to manage wildlife in the 21st century.

Stuart Chaifetz

Director Animal Protection PAC

Manalapan