PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Democratic Committee announced three local elected officials have filed to seek the office of Morris County Commissioner. The trio recently held a listening tour at the Parsippany IHOP.
The Democratic slate is:
- Bud Ravitz, a two-term Morris Township Committeeman and former Deputy Mayor
- Jonathan Sackett, a two-term Rockaway Township Councilman and former Council President and Vice President
- Justin Strickland, a newly elected Chatham Borough Councilman
“They are going to break through the logjam of Republican control, bringing new ideas to the table based on their practical experience governing in the community. It’s time to bring a new set of ideas and fresh thinking to the Board of County Commissioners,” said Morris County Democratic Chair Amalia Duarte.
A little about the candidates:
Justin Strickland, a newly elected Chatham Borough Councilman: After traveling all over the globe, I chose Morris County as my home, and I humbly represent the residents of Chatham on the Chatham Borough Council. I am a proud war veteran who served on Iraq’s front lines, earning a Bronze Star. As a civilian, I also served in the Pentagon and earned the Office of the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Achievement Award for my work in Afghanistan. I’m a seasoned manager across 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, small business owner, and lifelong resident of Morris County, I’m passionate about my community. I ran for County Commissioner last year, and I will win this year. My background in economics, finance, and accounting and my experience as a local business owner provide the understanding and real-life expertise to tackle fiscal and quality-of-life issues. I’m serving my second term on the Rockaway Township Council, serving as Council President and Vice President.
Bud Ravitz, a two-term Morris Township Committeeman and former Deputy Mayor: I am a former Deputy Mayor, serving in my fourth year on the Morris Township Committee. I have made a visible and positive impact on the Township Committee during my tenure. I’m passionate about transparency in government and representing all my constituents fairly. I spearheaded two bipartisan pay-to-play legislation ordinances that were more strict than the legislation passed by the state of New Jersey. I have served on almost every Township Standing and Advisory Committee, 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:
- Overdevelopment is the big buzzword around town. People are upset about large projects being built without community input. How would you address this?
Concerns about overdevelopment in Morris County are valid and should be addressed with careful consideration. Overdevelopment is not a partisan issue because it impacts all residents. As Morris County Commissioners, we plan to ensure we have a County-wide Master Plan that sets all communities up for success. We believe true vision planning involves collaborating with key stakeholders, including residents and municipal governing bodies. We plan to bring municipal leaders together to create a dialogue that can ensure successful development where it’s needed and carefully evaluate development in areas where it could be detrimental.
2. What we hear about in county government is a need for more transparency. We can see from this listening tour today that you are happy to engage with the community – but if elected, how would you continue to implement transparency and robust community engagement?
As Morris County Commissioner, we know that it’s essential to listen to the residents of Morris County. Listening means holding town halls, making yourself available, and meeting with folks in their communities. We will have regular meetings with representatives of all Morris County municipalities to share and collaborate on ideas and issues that will benefit both. We will also hold periodic town halls for county residents in various locations to highlight issues important to them.
Additionally, as county commissioners, we would work to establish a YouTube channel where all commissioner meetings are video-recorded for public use.
3. The job of the Commissioner comes down to keeping our county running smoothly. But our current commissioners have weighed in on national issues like reproductive health and gun control – going as far as to make official proclamations on the county’s behalf. What are your thoughts on these actions in the role of commissioner?
The primary responsibility of a County Commissioner is to focus on policy that governs Morris County. There may be times when the County Commissioners need to weigh in on national issues, such as 9/11 or supporting the U.S. Armed Forces when deployed abroad. We believe County Commissioner proclamations should be focused on unifying Morris County and supporting folks who need our support. As Commissioners, we will work hard to represent all the county’s residents regardless of political affiliation.
4. Most residents don’t understand where the Commissioners get money to use in their budget. Can you simply explain?
Each municipality pays a different percentage of property taxes to the county based on the county’s equalized tax assessment. The budget is $365 million per year. As commissioners, we would be active in the communities to ensure residents across Morris County know how their money is spent. In addition, the County applies for and receives state and federal grants for County projects.
