To The Editor: I’ve decided to try something new in representing Ward 1 of Lower Township. Something I’ve been thinking of but never could figure out how to do. I will be holding a “Meet Your Councilman” night on June 8, at Township Hall, 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas, 7 to approximately 8:30 p.m. As I was talking with a resident, this subject came up. She stated that there are a lot of people in the area who do not know me by name or sight, so why would they contact me about any problems? Good point. We talked about a “Meet your Councilman” night. Door to door is great for campaigning. You can leave literature when people are not home or are busy and you are interrupting them, plus they don’t necessarily want to talk to politicians. If I went door to door again, it would be great to see the neighborhoods and what has happened, both good and bad, but it would be ineffective as I couldn’t talk to some or most of the people. But when would I be in their neighborhood? And will they be home then? So what choices do the people have? Go to a council meeting and wait their turn to talk? What if it’s not a good night for them, because of work, childcare, etc? What if they don’t think it’s important enough to go to a council meeting? Maybe a “Quality of Life” issue? Or maybe they just “live” with it, hoping something happens or believing no one cares. The best answer at this time is to have a “Meet Your Councilman” night. Totally informal, and that means time, dress and topics. No set agenda. No timed questions or comments. No politics. Just open, polite discussion. Hopefully all those who attend will share this attitude. All are welcome. It does not matter how old you are (or aren’t); whether you live here year round or not; renter or homeowner; even if you don’t live in Ward One. What, you can’t be here until 8 p.m.? So what? Come on in. Have to leave early? Glad you could come. Can’t find a sitter for the kids? Bring them. Tell me what you think. Ask questions. Have an idea you would like to run by me, OK. What do you like or dislike about the township? Let’s see what happens. You may even be surprised that you recognize me. Oh, and if that night is not good for you, I’ve already scheduled Township Hall for July 13 and Aug. 10, same time and place, to do it again. But then again, for some, nights might not be a good time to meet me, so contact me. Maybe I can come see you or maybe add another meeting at a different time and day. Let’s see where this goes. Call me at 609-780-0802 or email me at tvconrad@gmail.com or tconrad@townshipoflower .org. The second email can be directly accessed through the township’s Web site, www.townshipoflower.org; just go to the Mayor and Council page and click on my name. The township’s Web site is a great source of information, so look around and check it out, you may be surprised at the information available there. THOMAS CONRAD Councilman, Ward One Lower Township