In their first joint statement of the 2013 fall campaign, Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty and his council slate cited re-election themes of “transparency in government, stable taxes, smart development, improved vacancy rates in the business district, [and] upgrades to the police force and the town master plan,” and pledged to wage a “positive campaign effort.”
The Mayor, who seeks his second four-year term, is running with Democratic incumbents Michelle Dupree Harris and Toshiba Foster and recently appointed Councilman Michael Elms.
Richard Babcock is running for mayor on the Republican side, and Ed France has hinted at making an Independent bid.
Below is the statement from the incumbents.
FROM THE DOUGHERTY TEAM:
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, Council President Michelle Dupree Harris, Council Members Michael Elms and Toshiba Foster Offer Experience, Leadership and Team Work; Renew Pledge for Positive Campaign
Morristown, NJ (September 18, ‘13)…Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty along with his ‘united team’ of Council members, President Michelle Dupree Harris and at-large council members Michael Elms and Toshiba Foster, today renewed their goals for a positive campaign effort for the November 5 general election
“As the incumbent candidates for Morristown, our goal is to continue to move our town forward with a commitment to transparent and fair-minded municipal government,” Mayor Dougherty stated.
“As we pledged in the June primary election, we plan to run a vigorous, positive and issue oriented campaign and I am grateful and confident to have three outstanding council members on our team who have worked hard and devoted their time and experience to the future of our great municipality,” he said.
“Our team offers diversity and dedication for our town residents,” he said, adding, “Council President Michelle Dupree Harris, who holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, has done a superb job in her leadership role on the council.”
“Council members Michael Elms and Toshiba Foster maintain an open-door policy for constituents and neighbors and they are particularly aware that serving our community is a privilege, a serious responsibility and a public trust,” Dougherty said.
Councilwoman Toshiba Foster stated her service on the council represents an on-going opportunity for responsible government. “My goal is to offer prudent management of our fiscal affairs and to continue to make decisions that are in the best interests of our community,” she said.
Councilman Elms stated: “As the newest member of the team, I will not hesitate to tackle difficult issues and to help keep Morristown moving in a positive direction with integrity and leadership.“
“Working together for the people of Morristown clearly works and, once again, we intend to run as a united team, ” the town officials said in a joint statement.
The Dougherty team stated that their platform and record in office highlights the issues of transparency in government, stable taxes, smart development, improved vacancy rates in the business district, upgrades to the police force and the town master plan.
“We are a team that works hard for our community by addressing concerns and issues head on. We will continue to bring our community together and work tirelessly to ensure an efficient, transparent government that balances the necessary growth with the uniquely small town charm that is Morristown,” the Mayor stated.
There will be a chance for voters to ask questions of the people running for mayor, on October 17th,in Morristown. Alaxander Hamilton School,Mills St Morritown NJ. 7:PM.
See and hear what they have to say!
Find out some answers…like……
Will property taxes be going down? If not why not? Why do we pay the highest?
Will we ever see police foot patrols? If no,why not?
Will there be less lawsiuts by town employess? If no,why? Why so many now? What is the cause?
How come other towns like Morris Township are shareing and merging their court, and other services? they are saving taxpayers some big money. Why is Morristown not doing this? Will they ever? Could it save the town money?
Will there be an answer to the growing traffic issues in town?
When will there be an open door policyon hiring an appointments?
Do residents have to work to get a person elected to be involved in Morristown? Why is that? Will it change? Why not? Are only the friends of the mayor allowed to help Morristown? Is this wrong?
Who is really running Morristwon? Can we finally know? The mayor? Business administrator? Money people behind the scenes? What’s up? Can we hear please?
Thanks for posting
Edward S France a life long resident, andalso a concened citizen. He is running for Mayor of Morristown. He went out and got over 100+people to sign his petition in the Spring of 2013. He is out talking to the residents. While interacting with the public he is finding out that many taxpayers are not happy about having the highest property tax rates in Morris County! He is also hearing how there are too many costly lawsuits filed by unhappy employees of the town ,that are costing millions of dollars. He is also hearing about traffic issues, street crime,one sided develoment,lack of affordable housing , parking propblems, too much politics in the current mayor’s office, and and overall helplessness of being a taxpayer with no voice.
I know about this first hand…because I am running for mayor,I have been talking to the people! My name is Edward S France!
Thank you for this strory on Morristown Green!