MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey affiliate of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) has announced today its endorsement of Mikie Sherrill in her race to represent New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. The politically-active New Jersey Laborers Union includes more than 25,000-members statewide including close to 1,200 union members and their families in the 11th District.

“Our members appreciate that Sherrill has both a long record of public service—as a groundbreaking naval aviator and as a federal prosecutor—as well as a fresh perspective on the issues that matter in our state, region, and country,” said Raymond M. Pocino, LIUNA’s international vice president and eastern regional manager.

As a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, Sherrill’s opponent, Jay Webber, voted against bipartisan legislation that cut taxes for New Jersey residents and that committed $16 billion over eight years to the state’s Transportation Trust Fund which funds repairs and improvements to the state’s aging roads, rails, and bridges. The legislation also doubled the amount of local aid available to communities for their own transportation-related needs and put construction craft laborers back to work by ending a multi-month shutdown of state-funded construction projects.

“We need pragmatic and capable leaders down in Washington DC, not dogmatic and partisan followers. We need Mikie Sherrill,” stated Pocino. “She understands the challenges working families face—from healthcare to housing, education to the environment. Sherrill also shows the capacity to listen and the ability and willingness to craft solutions instead of soundbites, a refreshing and needed change from the same old, same old.”

The union has already begun to educate members and the community on the important issues facing the union and working families.  LIUNA members will also be volunteering for the Sherrill campaign on everything from voter registration to get-out-the-vote drives.

“The members of the New Jersey Laborers Union help move our state forward every single day and I am proud to receive their endorsement,” said Mikie Sherrill. “It’s time Congress invests in New Jersey. We need to embrace bipartisan support for infrastructure spending to create jobs and fix our crumbling roads, rails, and bridges. In Congress, I will fight to make New Jersey a better place to live for all of our residents.”

LIUNA’s Pocino summed up the reason for his union’s support: “The people of the 11th Congressional District are smart enough to understand that governing requires serious-minded people who want to get things done. They have that person in Mikie Sherrill which is why we are pleased to offer her our support.”

The 25,000-member New Jersey Laborers Union is the statewide affiliate of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) and represents workers in various industries, including construction, clean energy, environmental remediation, sanitation and recycling, security, and education.  The New Jersey Laborers are widely viewed as having been instrumental in helping to lift living standards and workplace safety for employees and for developing innovative cooperative relationships with employers and communities.

MORRISTOWN — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced overnight lane closures in Morristown to resurface approximately one mile of Route 202 in both directions in Morristown.

Beginning at 9:00 p.m., tonight, Monday, August 27, until 5:00 a.m. the next day, and continuing nightly until complete, NJDOT’s contractor, Schifano Construction Corp., is scheduled to close up to two lanes of Route 202 and shift traffic in both directions between North Park Place Road and Frederick Street in Morristown to mill and pave the roadway. The project is designed to minimize impacts to traffic and maintain one lane of traffic in both directions at all times.

The $420,000 million dollar state-funded project will mill and pave the roadway, rebuild storm water manholes and inlets, and install traffic signal cameras. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the week.

Construction signs are being utilized to provide advance notification to the motoring public of all traffic pattern changes associated with the work. NJDOT will provide more information before any lane closures are scheduled.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info or on the NJDOT Facebook page.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders, in a unanimous vote this week, has adopted a new Morris County Strategic Plan that offers key goals and guiding principles for county government for the next decade.

The document was developed over the past year with the valued help of county and municipal government, education, health and medical, business, nonprofit, and innovation leaders from across Morris County, as well as valued advice from county residents.

It targets quality of life, economic development, infrastructure, public safety, health and human services, and the evolving role of county government in dealing with the needs of our residents in all 39 municipalities through the 2020s.

“Just as you have to prepare for a changing future at home and in your business lives, we in county government also have to plan for a changing future – one that changes very rapidly these days,’’ said Freeholder Christine Myers, who spearheaded the Strategic Plan effort, along with Freeholders Kathy DeFillippo and Deborah Smith. “We hope county government will use this document to guide it in prioritizing the needs of our residents in all 39 municipalities.’’

The Strategic Plan process included a comprehensive review of all aspects of county government and its connections to our residents, local governments, nonprofits, and the education and business communities.

Following a thorough analysis and review of the data, and subsequent discussions, the steering committee and freeholders created a priority list of strategic goals for the county. You can view the Strategic Plan by clicking here. 

“The goal of the Strategic Plan to ensure a bright future for Morris County, to maintain our high quality of life, strengthen the county’s economic backbone, and provide our residents with services they most prefer and need,’’ said Freeholder DeFillippo.

“We want to ensure that Morris County remains the premier place in New Jersey to live, work, go to school and raise a family,’’ said Freeholder Smith.

With the Strategic Plan now adopted, a follow-up implementation strategy is being finalized, and which will guide the county to achieve plan objectives.  In many areas, work by the county already has begun or has continued as a “design/build” method to achieve the objectives.

The county will continue to work in partnership with all 39 municipalities and the private sector in each of the critical areas of the Strategic Plan, and to achieve each of its important goals.

The Board of Freeholders began the strategic planning process in 2016. Working with JANUS Solutions as coordinator of this effort, the initial result was the development of a vision, mission and guiding principles for the county:

Vision:  Morris County will continue to be the premier place in which to live, work, and raise a family.  Our County will continue to build our vibrant and sustainable economy and preserve our natural resources and history.  We will honor our unique quality of life, assure a safe, well-maintained infrastructure and offer cultural and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.  We will continue to offer compassionate support to those in need and maintain our tradition as a caring community.

Mission:  Morris County will protect and preserve the quality of life for all of Morris County, and ensure the effective, efficient and ethical stewardship of tax dollars.

Guiding Principles:  Morris County Government will:

• Build upon our advantages of location, infrastructure, a diverse and talented workforce, safety, education, diversity and culture to maintain our way of life
• Respect and protect the interests of taxpayers and utilize and exercise prudence in all financial matters
• Execute all aspects of County business in the most ethical, effective, professional and transparent manner, with all actions and decisions focused on the most responsive and best interests of Morris County residents
• Optimize the use of available funding, including providing shared or regionalized services
• Provide strategic leadership, and balance short and long-term planning
• Partner with our 39 municipalities to support their safety and quality of life
• Assist and collaborate with our communities during times of need and/or crisis.