Donna Guariglia and Jeff Grayzel will succeed Mark Gyorfy and Bud Ravitz as mayor and deputy mayor, respectively, in Morris Township in 2024, the Township’s Democratic committee announced on Wednesday. Under the Township’s form of government, the governing body (presently all Democrats) rotates the ceremonial positions among its members.
From the Morris Township Democratic Committee:
Guariglia & Grayzel to serve as Morris Township Mayor, Deputy Mayor in 2024
The current members of the Morris Township governing body have agreed to support Committeewoman Donna Guariglia as mayor and Committeeman Jeff Grayzel as deputy mayor for 2024.
Guariglia, a 40-year resident of the Township and mother of four, said, “I am proud and honored to serve the Morris Township community as your 2024 mayor. I have long been committed to my community and public service.”
She added that she is grateful to her colleagues, the hardworking staff and all the departments at Town Hall for their guidance and support since joining the Township Committee in 2022.
Guariglia is most grateful to the Township residents. “I thank the residents of Morris Township for your enthusiasm and engagement when participating in sharing your concerns—your voices and priorities are the guiding force behind the decisions we make,” she said.
She looks forward to her tenure as mayor. “As your mayor in 2024, I will move forward the projects and initiatives in front of us, I am committed to accept the challenges we may face, and I see a path forward to lead our community to ensure that our tomorrows are better than our yesterdays.”
Grayzel said: “I am very pleased with the accomplishments of the Township Committee over the past five years. We will continue that good work in 2024 and beyond.”
Among the accomplishments of these years, Grayzel cited increasing resident engagement, prioritizing fiscal responsibility, and addressing quality of life issues.
He added that Morris Township has invested heavily in infrastructure in the community with the reconstruction of multiple roadways, adding new sidewalks across the entire town to promote safe pedestrian circulation, installing new drainage to control flooding, and upgrading and expanding upon the vast recreational opportunities around town.
Grayzel believes in bringing people together, finding commonality, and producing win-win solutions. “Inclusiveness, transparency, and common-sense governing makes Morris Township a better place for all its residents,” he stated.
Guariglia added: “Jeff and I are honored to serve the community and we are always available to hear from residents about issues they may have or their ideas for improving Morris Township.”
About Donna Guariglia
Donna Guariglia is finishing her first term on the Township Committee after being appointed in 2022 and then winning the election that year when she ran with Committeeman Jeff Grayzel.
Guariglia has served on the following municipal oversight committees: Finance, Personnel, Fire, Transportation, Sewer, Environment, and as a liaison to the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
She is also a longtime advocate for the rights of women and girls, for diversity and inclusion, and for community volunteerism and service.
Guariglia is a past president of the League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area, and past president of the NJ Colonials Ice Hockey Organization. She currently serves as the treasurer of USA Hockey Inc.; chair of the USA Hockey DEI Committee; and vice president of the USA Hockey Foundation.
About Jeff Grayzel
Jeff Grayzel is serving his fourth term on the Township Committee, having first won an historic Special Election in 2007 after the November 2006 election was deemed to be a tie — giving credence to the old saying “every vote counts.” He served as mayor of Morris Township in 2019 and 2021.
During his long tenure, Grayzel has had the experience of serving on numerous standing committees with oversight over virtually every function within the municipal government structure.
He and his family have lived in the Washington Valley section of Morris Township since 1997. His two sons were born and raised in this community, and now are in college. He coached both MNLL little league and MUSC soccer, which his sons played for many years.
Grayzel had a lengthy career at Bristol-Myers Squibb with experience in system design, marketing, and international business development. He is currently president of a private medical device development firm.
Grayzel is proudly involved with several community organizations. He is a founding board member of MOMI – the Museum of Makers & Innovators and is on the Board of Advisors of the Great Swamp Watershed Association. In addition, he serves on the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest and is on the Board of Directors of the Morristown Jewish Center.