RANDOLPH – Remember, this election is not about gun laws or women’s redevelopment rights.
It’s more about trash pickup.
It sounds pretty mundane to be sure, but the speaker, Councilwoman Joanne Veech, was making an important point.
Municipalities deal with issues that impact everyday life – running youth sports programs, overseeing a good library and, yes, collecting garbage.
Veech is one of four Republican council members seeking reelection in this Morris County town – population 26,000.
That brought her and two of her running mates, Mayor Christine Carey and Councilman Joe Hathaway, to a “meet and greet” Wednesday night in a township home. The fourth candidate, Councilwoman Denise Thornton, a detective captain in the county sheriff’s office, was absent because of a work emergency.
The race has huge local significance. Four seats on the now all-Republican 7-person council are up, so control can switch if the entire Democratic ticket wins.
But it’s more than that. The term, microcosm, is overused these days, but in the context of national politics, that’s what the township is.
Randolph is an affluent, suburban community with a well-educated population. In short, it is one of those places where Democrats have been doing better of late.
The stats bear that out.
Joe Biden won here in 2020 by about 2,300 votes over Donald Trump. Rep. Mikie Sherrill won Randolph – the western-most town in CD-11 – by about 1,500 votes in 2022.
And in last year’s admittedly low-turnout LD-25 election, the Democratic candidates (one Senate and two Assembly) also won here, albeit slightly. The Republicans, however, prevailed district wide.
One of those Assembly candidates, Jonathan W. Torres, is on the Democratic council ticket. The others are Sandra Fey, Josie Scanlan and William Ball.
With that recent history in mind, Republicans talked to people gathered in a home in the town’s Shongum Lake section about all the good things the township offers.
Mayor Carey talked about “beautiful award-winning parks,” a number of fairs, festivals and similar community events, plus a 16-mile trail system that winds this way – and that way – through the entire town.
Hathaway said the township has stepped up ways to communicate with residents, He spoke of developing a mobile-app that will allow residents to seek info from town officials and also to report problems.
To that end, Carey said she holds weekly sessions at the town library where residents can talk to the mayor about whatever they want.
Veech said plans call for further improving the township’s quality of life by establishing a cultural arts center.
More broadly, the candidates noted that the township has been judged as one of the safest communities in the nation and that the municipal portion of the property tax bill has increased on average by a mere 0.5 percent a year since 2016.
Clearly, Republicans are trying to ward off any potential problems above them on the ballot by stressing a point that has been successful in the past:
Randolph is a great town in which to live. So, why change local leadership?
EDITOR’S NOTE: An upcoming story will focus on the Democratic candidates.
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In the bustling state of New Jersey, there is a legendary figure that has captured the hearts of many residents – Randolph, the Red-Nosed Blame Deer. This mysterious creature has been spotted roaming the forests and fields of the Garden State, leaving a trail of confusion and intrigue in its wake.
Many locals have reported encountering Randolph during their outdoor adventures, describing him as a majestic deer with a bright red nose that seems to glow in the dark. Some have even claimed that Randolph has the ability to speak, offering cryptic messages and warnings to those who cross his path.
But what sets Randolph apart from other deer in the area is his penchant for taking the blame for mishaps and accidents that occur in the community. Whether it’s a broken fence, a missing pet, or a car accident, Randolph is always there to shoulder the responsibility, even if he had nothing to do with the incident.
Some believe that Randolph is a benevolent spirit, sent to protect the residents of New Jersey from harm and misfortune. Others see him as a symbol of unity and forgiveness, reminding us that mistakes happen and it’s important to take responsibility for our actions.
Despite his mysterious nature, Randolph has become a beloved figure in the community, with many residents leaving offerings of food and flowers in the hopes of catching a glimpse of him. Some even claim that Randolph has brought them luck and good fortune after encountering him in the wild.
So the next time you find yourself in the forests of New Jersey, keep an eye out for Randolph, the Red-Nosed Blame Deer. You never know what kind of wisdom or magic he may bring into your life.
