3 INDEPENDENTS IN COUNTY HAVE GUBERNATORIAL HOPES

Voters who haven't been impressed by either Doug Forrester or Jon
Corzine this campaign season may find an alternative in one of the
three gubernatorial candidates who live in Burlington County.

At least that's what Matt Thieke of Maple Shade, Ed "njweedman"
Forchion of Pemberton Township and Michael Latigona of Evesham are
hoping as they reach the final stages of underdog campaigns for the
governor's seat.

While Forrester and Corzine have received most of the media
attention, there are eight other candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Among them are Thieke, running as the Green Party's candidate;
Forchion, who is campaigning in favor of the legalization of
marijuana, the only issue of his platform; and Latigona, an
independent who is preaching unity instead of partisanship.

Thieke said a lot of people aren't pleased with what Corzine and
Forrester have been talking about this campaign season and are happy
to listen to what the alternative candidates have to say.

He said the Democrats and Republicans aren't capable of fixing the
two biggest issues they have identified as problems - property taxes
and corruption - because their parties feed off those problems.

Thieke wants to use income taxes to fund schools and says government
should ban the practice of awarding no-bid contracts to campaign
contributors. The argument that a vote for a third-party candidate is
a wasted vote is wrong, Thieke said.

"We don't have to win to move things forward," he said. "Every extra
vote is an endorsement of our platform."

Forchion has the same outlook as Thieke when it comes to winning
votes, but his campaign has been decidedly different in message.
Where Thieke has talked about the same issues Corzine and Forrester
have identified, Forchion is mounting a one-issue campaign aimed at
protesting the state's drug laws. He has scheduled a campaign rally
for Nov. 3 at the Statehouse that will focus solely on the
legalization of marijuana.

"It's an issue people are interested in," he said.

Forchion said votes for him would tell other leaders that there are a
lot of people who share his views. He is predicting a third-place finish.

Latigona said he's running a serious campaign aimed at winning the
seat, not just making a statement for one party or issue.

He believes the governor should be strong enough to make sure the
Legislature passes real reforms. He said Corzine and Forrester aren't
up to the task.

"I want to solve the problems, because nobody else is doing it," Latigona said.

If his campaign falls short, Latigona said, he would consider
organizing a recall effort if the sitting governor hasn't enacted
true reforms in his first year in office.