RANDOLPH – There is seemingly much to like about this Morris County town. It long has boasted of good municipal services, an affluent population and an enviable trail system that weaves through the township’s nearly 21 square miles.
All in all, a well-run community and a pretty nice place to live, right?
“That’s not what we’re hearing at the doors,” says Sandy Fey, one of four Democrats seeking seats this year on the town council.
If all four win, Democrats will take control of the 7-member council. That would be a big deal.
Fey and her three running mates – Jonathan W. Torres, Josie Scanlan and William Ball – are trying to make the case that while things in Randolph are pretty good, they can be better.
Before we go there, let’s set the scene.
Township voters have most recently supported Democrats at the top of the ticket. Joe Biden won here in 2020. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has carried Randolph since she first ran in 2018.
Still, Republicans win council seats here – similar to how the GOP maintains its grip on the Morris County board of commissioners.
A presidential year, of course, means a larger turnout, and theoretically at least, more help for the local Dems from the top of the ticket.
It’s not as if Republicans are unaware. The four incumbent GOP candidates – Chris Carey (the current mayor), Joanne Veech, Joe Hathaway and Denise Thornton – are stressing that the council election is about delivering direct services to residents as opposed to, say, abortion rights.
Democrats acknowledge they stand to get help from the top of the ticket, but they also contend that the all-Republican council is not doing such a great job.
For example, Fey said some residents “at the doors” complain about playing fields deteriorating.
“On the surface it is a great town,” Torres said Sunday as he and his running mates prepared to go door-to-door.
But he argued that a lot of what residents like about the town is because of dedicated volunteers, not necessarily the local governing body.
Torres faulted the council for not seeking proposals for such professional positions as auditor and attorney, saying: “We’re not actually getting the best value for those services.”
He added that people “don’t feel they are being heard.”
Like many suburban communities, Randolph does not have a bona fide downtown. Talk of developing a town center in the Mount Freedom section goes back decades.
The Democratic candidates fault the Republican council for doing little to move that idea forward.
Scanlan said it’s important to foster more of a community with sidewalks and an effort to fill what she says are too many empty storefronts. Fey said she envisions a tree-lined street with quaint shops.
In some ways, this is a classic battle between incumbents and challengers. Regardless of party affiliation, those on the outside customarily accuse those in office of not doing enough.
What makes this contest more interesting is the Republicans’ attempt to hold on in the face of what likely will be a Democratic “win” at the top of the ticket.
One of the visitors to Sunday’s canvas efforts was Jeff Grayzel, a committeeman in Morris Township.
Once solidly Republican, Democrats now hold all five seats on the committee.
Grayzel spoke of recent Democratic gains in a string of Morris towns that border each other. Running from east to west, they are Chatham, Chatham Township, Madison Morris Township and Mendham Township.
Those towns, he said, are beginning to form a county version of a “blue wall.”
And mixing expectation with some hope, Grayzel said Randolph may be on the verge of joining them.
Editor’s Note: A story on the Randolph Republican candidates appeared on Oct. 10.
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As a longtime resident and business owner in Randolph, I have witnessed firsthand the changes and challenges facing our downtown area. Over the years, we have seen a decline in foot traffic, an increase in vacant storefronts, and a lack of cohesive vision for revitalization. However, I am optimistic about the future of Randolph’s downtown, thanks to a new competition aimed at unifying our community and bringing new life to our beloved town.
The competition, organized by local leaders and community members, seeks to engage residents, business owners, and stakeholders in a collaborative effort to revitalize Randolph’s downtown. The goal is to create a vibrant and thriving commercial district that attracts visitors, supports local businesses, and fosters a sense of community pride.
One of the key components of the competition is the emphasis on unification. In the past, there has been a lack of coordination and cooperation among various stakeholders in downtown Randolph. This competition aims to bring everyone together under a shared vision for the future of our town. By working together, we can leverage our collective resources, talents, and ideas to create a downtown that is truly special and unique.
I believe that this competition is a great opportunity for Randolph to showcase its potential and attract new investment and development. By engaging the community in the planning process, we can ensure that the revitalization efforts reflect the needs and desires of local residents and businesses. This grassroots approach will not only help us create a more vibrant downtown but also foster a stronger sense of community spirit and unity.
I am excited to see what ideas and proposals come out of this competition and how they will shape the future of Randolph’s downtown. I am confident that by working together and embracing a spirit of collaboration, we can create a downtown that we can all be proud of. Let’s come together, roll up our sleeves, and make Randolph’s downtown the best it can be.
