Candidates' Night Set for Morris County Freeholder Contenders

In what promises to be an exciting June Primary for three seats up for grabs on the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the public will now have a chance to hear the candidates in a forum setting.

Sponsored by the Republican Clubs of the Chesters & Mendhams, Mt. Olive, and Washington Township, a 90-minute forum will be held at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Chester on May 7 with all seven Republican candidates participating.

Attorney Jake McCarthy, of Mendham Borough, will moderate the debate, which includes:

• John Krickus (Washington Township, incumbent)
• John Cesaro (Parsippany, incumbent)
• David Scapicchio (Flanders, incumbent)
• Christine Meyers (Mendham)
• Angelo Tedesco (East Hanover)
• Thomas Mulligan (Rockaway)
• Deborah Smith (Denville)

While Krickus, Cesaro, and Scapicchio all ran on the same ticket during the successful 2012 campaign, the trio has split up. Krickus and Scapicchio have joined forces with Smith, while Cesaro has teamed up with Meyers and Tedesco.

The debate format will be single moderator, with each candidate receiving 90 seconds for an opening and closing statement.

A total of 12 questions will be asked, with six coming from the sponsoring clubs and another six coming from the audience. Each candidate will have 60 seconds to respond and a rebuttal time of 30 seconds. No questions will be provided to candidates in advance.

The forum will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lamplighter, which is located 190 West Main Street in Chester. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.

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