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Republicans Mayor Frank Druetzler and Councilwoman
Sue McCluskey and Councilman Roman “Ray” Zabihach all filed for reelection Monday.
Druetzler will face a Democratic challenge from either former State Assembly candidate and current K-8 Board
of Education member Wayne Marek or Democrat Michael Butchko. Butchko and Marek will battle it out for the nomination in the June 1
Democratic primary.
For council, McCluskey will face a challenge from
Democrat Joe Stith, while Zabihach,
running for the two-year unexpired term of Stephen Welsh, will be challenged by
Democrat Frank Mangravite.
Druetzler is a former Morris County Freeholder and
has been mayor since 1987. He is chairman of the Morris Plains Labor Day Block
Party, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Morris Plains, chairman of
Rotary’s Uncle Frank’s Trout Fishing Contest, and founder of the Morris Plains
Memorial Day Parade.
He is a graduate of
He also serves on the Board of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
“I am honored and blessed to be able to serve all the people of
Democrat Marek sees property tax relief as essential.
“The office of mayor is one of the most important in any municipality,
therefore, it is not a decision I enter into lightly,” he said in his campaign
statement. “I feel it necessary to say at the outset that I do not run merely
to oppose a political party, any one man or to offer token opposition.
“I run because it is unmistakably clear that property tax relief begins on the
local level and I am firm in my belief that we can and must do better to
control costs without sacrificing services.
“The time has come to question the conventional wisdom of ‘home rule.’
“It is for these prudent reasons that I feel it is my duty and my obligation to
run for mayor, to do all that I can to ensure that all of our residents can
afford to live in our great Borough, and to do so without compromise to our
services, our sense of community identity, pride and our overall quality of
life.”
For the Republicans running for Council, Sue McCluskey,
a 42-year resident of
A former chairwoman of the Morris Plains Board of Adjustment, McCluskey is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the
Morris County League of Municipalities. In 2003, she started the Morris Plains
Farmer’s Market, which will continue this summer for its eighth season. Last
year, two arts and crafts fairs were offered at the market, one for children
and one for adults.
McCluskey served as council president in 2005 and is
chair of the Buildings and Grounds, Parks and Recreation Committee.
Republican Roman “Ray” Zabihach, a 34-year resident
of
He retired in 2009 from the Morris County Planning Board after 40 years and had
been the Planning Board Director since 1992. He is a member of the New Jersey
Clean Water Council, the Morris County Board of Transportation and a
In a statement, the Republicans noted their campaign theme:
“Continue to advocate, along with neighboring towns, county Freeholders, state
Legislators and citizen groups to see that the State of New Jersey not sell the
130 acres of Greystone property to developers but
keep it open space.
“Continue our downtown beautification program.
“Use our experience and knowledge to maintain our quality of life and high
level of services during these difficult financial times.”
Morris Plains Borough Council President Jason Karr, the lone Democrat on the
council will run for re-election.
Karr has served on the
While on the council, Karr noted he served as chairman for the Public Welfare
Sewers and Sanitation Committee. While serving as chairman
Karr said evaluated the recycling program, which implemented savings and
revenue to the borough.
Karr was also a member of the committee responsible for the consolidation of
police dispatch services with the
Karr said he works diligently in order to benefit the residents of
“Our quality of life and financial stability is dependent on proper planning
for our future,” he said. “My knowledge of the budget, the governing process,
and my love for this community ensure that I will continue to work tirelessly
for solutions. This election is about all residents of
Karr has been a lifelong resident of