By Michael Lovito
Morris Plains Democrats rode the blue wave that swept across the nation Tuesday to keep control of both the mayor’s office and the borough council, ousting two incumbents in the process.
In the mayoral race, Councilwoman Nancy Verga, a Democrat, unseated two-term Mayor Jason Karr, a Democrat-turned-Independent. While votes are still being counted, Verga can currently claim 1,818 votes to Karr’s 1,284, a margin of a little over 500 votes.
Verga, a 27-year resident of Morris Plains and retired communications professional and consultant who has served on the borough council since 2019, jumped into the primary to challenge Karr with the support of the local Democratic Party earlier this year. Taking the hint, Karr dropped out of the primary to run as an Independent.
Verga and the party’s complaints with Karr included his handling of development decisions in the borough, including his vote to approve the construction of a McDonald’s drive through on Speedwell Avenue in 2024.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the support we’ve received from the people of Morris Plains,” Verga said. “I’m optimistic about the outcome and excited about serving our community as mayor.”
Karr declined to comment.
The McDonald’s project loomed over the council race as well. Lee Connor, one of the co-founders of the “smart planning” advocacy group Plan Better Morris Plains, which was launched after the restaurant’s approval, won a seat on the borough council with 1,769 votes. Rosaria DeNova, her Democratic running mate, barely outpaced her with 1,776 votes.
The pair unseated Republican incumbent Art Bruhn Jr. and defeated his running mate, Sheryl McNichol, who received 1,338 and 1,366 votes, respectively.
Connor, a professional writer and editor and former president of the Education Foundation of Morris Plains, said that she intends to stay focused on planning while in office.
“Big picture, everything comes under development and land use, and that’s much more than what happens in our downtown. It encompasses our green space,” Connor said.
“We need to be actively protecting them, and the creation of an environmental commission would go a long way toward that.”
DeNova, a photographer and former member of the Morris Plains Teen Center and Farmers Market boards, echoed Connor’s concerns about planning, saying that the borough has been too “reactionary” when it comes to development.
“Our master plan is critical,” DeNova said. “We need to really look at what is there and have robust resident input sessions so that the community has full input into what types of businesses they want to see.”
Bruhn has served on the borough council since 2017, serving for much of that time as council president. McNichol, a paraprofessional for the Morris Plains School District, previously worked as the borough’s tax collector and deputy court administrator. Both declined to comment for this story.
The only Morris Plains race where incumbents came out on top was the one for school board, with current board members Denise Rawding and Shawna Longo receiving 1,584 and 1,395 votes respectively. But their colleague, Steve Goscinski, was not so lucky; he received only 754 votes, enough to be ousted by challenger Steven Persak, who received 1,340. Anoli Piccirillo, another challenger, received 789 votes.
Morristown has a long history of people stepping forward in pivotal moments.
When you chip in to Morristown Green, you’re helping your neighbors stay informed, strengthening our civic backbone, and carrying on the spirit that’s defined this town since its earliest days.
Rally for local news.
