Democratic slate for Morris County Commissioner unveiled during listening tour

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Democratic Committee has announced that three local elected officials have filed to run for the office of Morris County Commissioner. The trio recently held a listening tour at the Parsippany IHOP.

The Democratic candidate list is:

• Bud Ravitz, a two-term member of the Morris Township Committee and former deputy mayor
• Jonathan Sackett, a two-term councilman in Rockaway Township and former council president and vice president
• Justin Strickland, a newly elected Chatham City Council member

“They are going to break the logjam of Republican control and bring new ideas to the table based on their practical experience of governing in the community. It is time to bring a new set of ideas and fresh thinking to the Board of County Commissioners,” said Amalia Duarte, chair of the Morris County Democratic Board.

A little about the candidates:

Justin Strickland, a newly elected Chatham city council member: After traveling the world, I have chosen Morris County as my home and humbly represent the citizens of Chatham on the Chatham Borough Council. I am a proud war veteran who served on the front lines of Iraq and earned a Bronze Star. As a civilian, I have also served in the Pentagon and received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Achievement Award for my work in Afghanistan. I am a seasoned executive with multiple Fortune 500 companies who is passionate about public service, sustainable economic development, historic preservation, and the untapped potential of Morris County.

Jonathan Sackett, a two-term Rockaway Township councilman and former council president and vice president: As a father of four, a small business owner, and a lifelong resident of Morris County, I am passionate about my community. I ran for County Commissioner last year and will win this year. My background in economics, finance, and accounting, and my experience as a local business owner, provide the insight and real-world expertise to address financial and quality-of-life issues. I am serving my second term on the Rockaway Township Council as Council President and Vice President.

Bud Ravitz, a two-term member of the Morris Township Committee and former deputy mayor: I am a former Deputy Mayor and am in my fourth year on the Morris Township Committee. I have had a visible and positive impact on the Township Committee during my tenure. I am passionate about transparency in government and representing all of my constituents fairly. I have spearheaded two bipartisan pay-to-play legislative ordinances that were more restrictive than the legislation passed by the State of New Jersey. I have served on nearly all Township Standing and Advisory Committees, including the Planning Board and Board of Health. I have been instrumental in prioritizing park and field renovations, smart growth, and environmental sustainability.

Focus Publications asked the candidates the following questions:

1. Overdevelopment is the big buzzword in the city. People are angry about big projects being built without community input. How would you address this?

Concerns about overdevelopment in Morris County are valid and must be addressed thoughtfully. Overdevelopment is not a partisan issue because it affects all residents. As Morris County Commissioners, we want to ensure that we have a County-wide Master Plan that sets all communities up for success. True vision planning requires collaboration with key stakeholders, including residents and municipal governing bodies. We want to bring municipal leaders together to create a dialogue that can ensure successful development where it is needed and carefully evaluate development in areas where it could be detrimental.

2. What we are hearing about the provincial government is the need for more transparency. We can tell from this listening tour today that you are keen to engage with the community – but if elected, how would you continue to implement transparency and robust community engagement?

If Morris County Commissioner, we know that listening to the people of Morris County is essential. Listening means holding town halls, making yourself available, and meeting with people in their communities. We will be holding regular meetings with representatives from all of Morris County’s municipalities to share ideas and issues and work together to benefit both parties. We will also be holding periodic town halls for county residents in various locations to highlight issues that are important to them.

Additionally, as county commissioners we want to work on setting up a YouTube channel where all commissioner meetings are recorded for public use.

3. The commissioner’s job is to keep our county running smoothly. But our current commissioners have stepped up to tackle national issues like reproductive health and gun control—even going so far as to issue official proclamations on behalf of the county. What are your thoughts on these actions in the role of commissioner?

The primary responsibility of a County Commissioner is to focus on policies that govern Morris County. There may be times when County Commissioners need to weigh in on national issues, such as 9/11 or supporting U.S. military forces deployed overseas. We believe that County Commissioner proclamations should focus on uniting Morris County and supporting those who need our support. As Commissioners, we will work hard to represent all of the county’s residents, regardless of their political leanings.

4. Most residents do not understand where the commissioners get money to use in their budget. Can you explain this?

Each municipality pays a different percentage of property taxes to the county based on the county’s equalized tax bill. The budget is $365 million per year. As commissioners, we would be active in the communities to ensure that Morris County residents know how their money is being spent. Additionally, the county applies for and receives state and federal grants for county projects.

The Randolph Listening Tour takes place on Wednesday 14th August from 6.30pm to 8pm at the Randolph Library, Calais Road, Randolph.