By Diane Lilli Staff Writer :

If you’re ready to tighten your belt and help save the planet at the same time, the Energy Fair is the place to be.
The community-wide event, scheduled ruled to light up Liberty Middle School on Feb. 24, is sponsored by the town ship and is inspired by Mayor John F. Mckeon’s Energy Diet, a program begun last year to increase awareness of issues concerning energy waste.
According to McKeon, West Orange is a leader, as a town, in tack ling the issue of global warming, and it is his belief that making changes in one small town can have positive repercussions around the world “To stem the ravages of warming, we must think globally and act local Ely,” he said.
Former Gov. Jim Florio, an avid environmentalist, will be the keynote speaker for the event. He is looking forward to the program and feels strongly that working at a local level through events like the West Orange energy fair will eventually change the fate of the earth.
He understands it takes leadership to accomplish the task.
“I am always pleased to see local leaders who take the idea that this is a precious planet and we have to protect it,” he said. “The mayor is working on a local level to protect the environ meant. The people working on this issue in West Orange are very creative
Mckeon agrees it is each citizen who must do their part.
“You can sit back with issues like this and say it should be a statewide, or a regional or even a national thing,” he said. “Or you can say I can control my own thermostat in my own house. It’s a matter of taking individual responsibility.”
Max Manshel, the deputy mayor for the energy diet, who has been working with McKeon on furthering the energy diet program, said approxi mately 40 businesses have become involved with the upcoming fair.
The vendors will offer displays and demonstrate new, innovative and sometimes simple solutions for the average consumer to use to conserve energy — and save money — on a daily basis.
Sometimes just the use of a more efficient light bulb can do the trick and Manshel said there will be plenty of experts at the fair to demonstrate the various types of energy-saving light bulbs available.
According to Greenpeace Interna tional, the average American house hold can reduce its usage of electricity by just replacing regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which have a greater life span. Fluo rescent bulbs, though more expensive to purchase, last eight times longer than incandescents.
Since one of the goals of the fair is to help the average homeowner and consumer understand practical ways to cut down on the usage of their own electricity, Manshel feels it is impor tant to also offer practical knowledge. “We won’t just show the equip ment,” he said. “We’ll have work shops on how to install the energy saving equipment.”
Also, with the cost of fuel ever ris ing, Manshel expects the car vendors to be a big hit with the community, as they will be showing their energy-effi cient hybrid cars.
Another energy- efficient concept to be highlighted at the fair is solar panels, which one day could supple ment or even replace the typical gas or oil heating in homes and businesses.
Asked about the possibility of installing solar panels in order to cut out the costs of gas or electric heating for West Orange office buildings, Manshel said the idea is already being researched.
“Right now, here in West Orange, we are looking into installing solar panels for town hall,” he said. “In effect, we might be able to lease them from an operator.”
Susan McCartney, a member of the Township Council and the ener gy committee, believes the creativi ty within the committee will keep people interested in the cause and plans to offer entertaining ways for the consumer to continue learning how to save the planet.
“For example, I reached out to the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Cen ter. They agreed to run some environ mental outdoor movies as part of their summer series,” she said.
Along with the vendors, the energy fair will also run the award-winning documentary “ An Inconvenient Truth,” which will be shown continu ously throughout the day.
The children will not be forgotten, as Whole Foods will provide them with activities, possibly creating flow­ers out of recyclables, and free organ ic treats.
Jennifer McDonnell, the northeast green mission specialist for Whole Foods, is also a West Orange resident and is proud of the way the township is embracing the responsibility of each person to do their part.
“This town is really active in mak ing a difference,” she said. “The ener gy committee is a tremendous group of impassioned and committed peo ple.”
McKeon believes the fair will help drive home the point that it’s not just about global warming, it’s about reducing costs for every homeowner.
“It’s all good. Not only does it save energy, it saves money,” he said.
If the energy committee has any thing to do with it, what’s good for the planet will also be good looking. New, attractive trash receptacles will soon grace the town.
“These are bins that will come pre designed or ready to decorate,” McCartney said. “Some of the stu dents at West Orange High are going to decorate bins and the Fire Depart ment has also requested to do one. It will be great civic art.”
The coordinators of the fair are hoping it will inspire many residents to make small changes that will reap big benefits.
Manshel believes this can happen and the fair is only the beginning.
“Part of the mayor’s plan is to help save the earth, starting right here in West Orange,” he said.
The energy fair will be open to the general public from noon to 5 p.m. and is free of charge.