Save Our Sussex political action committee holds launch party

A group of Sussex County residents concerned about the growing influence of special-interest political action committees in local elections has formed an independent PAC to represent the interests of the community.

A launch party to celebrate the founding of Save Our Sussex PAC was held June 22 at the home of Leslie Calman and Jane Gruenebaum. Attendees learned about the Save Our Sussex PAC and the importance of turning advocacy into action. The new PAC will be headed by Nancy Sakaduski serving as president, Bob Murray as treasurer, Ken Brittingham and Susan Nogan.

The PAC plans to collect donations and use them to support candidates who share core values including better planned and controlled growth, improved healthcare access, preservation of open space and quality public education.

Concerned by a loss in the quality of life they treasure, organizers said many are becoming alarmed by the rampant overdevelopment that serves the needs of builders and developers while leaving the community struggling with overburdened schools, inadequate healthcare services, overworked emergency responders and overwhelmed road systems.

Special-interest PACs that might be funded by people and companies from outside the area use large donations to influence local elections. In many cases, they aim to sway voting toward candidates who will serve their financial needs rather than the interests of those who live in and support area communities.

The goal of Save Our Sussex PAC is to allow residents and small local businesses to pool their resources to help elect candidates who support smart growth and maintaining the quality of life in the county.

To learn more, go to saveoursussex.com or email saveoursussex@gmail.com.