Oxford County Democrats are participating in the election year exercise of recycling their political signs.

County Chairperson Cathy Newell said in a statement, “Our candidates have carefully researched materials and selected recyclable materials for their signs. The corrugated plastic coated signs are recyclable, but their sturdiness makes them usable for several campaigns. The coated cardboard signs are also recyclable but we have had good luck in cleaning and reusing them as well.

“Because our candidates are running as Clean Elections candidates, free of obligation to donors, they have limited budgets, can afford fewer signs than traditional candidates and must be clever in stretching their funds,” she said.

“This approach to signs is a natural fit with their commitment to reuse and recycle as policy.”

Newell said signs will be collected promptly after the Nov. 2 election. She reminded individuals that it is against the law to tamper with or remove a sign placed by a candidate or campaign. Anyone wishing to display a lawn sign for any of the Democratic candidates may contact her at 875-2116.

National forest visitors surveyed

GORHAM, N.H. – The U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with Syracuse University, will be conducting visitor surveys in the White Mountain National Forest starting in October and continuing through September 2005. The surveys are part of a national effort to track recreation trends. Survey data will aid recreation managers, state and local tourism planners, and Congress determine the uses, level of visitor satisfaction and needs, and the local economic effects of national forest recreation.

Visitors traveling national forest roads or using trail heads, day-use areas, or special use sites such as ski areas may be asked to participate in the survey. The survey workers will be wearing bright orange vests and will be stationed near “Traffic Survey Ahead” signs. The interview lasts from 6 to 11 minutes, with about one-third of the interviewees asked for additional information on recreation spending during their trip.

All surveys are voluntary, anonymous, and confidential.

More information may be obtained on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum or by calling Gary Davis at 603-466-2713, extension 234, or by calling 603-466-2856 with a teletypewriter.