Freeholder Primary Gets Crowded, Murphy Out
Seven Republicans have filed primary petitions so far for the county board; several more have declared intentions.
Freeholder John Murphy said Tuesday he is not seeking re-election in the June Republican primary, ending a 21-year public career.
The 15-year Republican freeholder from Morris Township said he wants to spend more time with his family.
“I did this for 15 years and for six years as mayor and on the council. It’s time for my family and children at home,” Murphy said.
Murphy’s exit adds a new wrinkle to an already jumbled race for three seats on the currently all-Republican freeholder board.
Incumbent Freeholder Director William Chegwidden of Wharton said Tuesday he will file his petition on time, and incumbent Gene Feyl of Denville filed his petition in December.
Feyl’s name has surfaced as a potential replacement for Eileen Swan, the former chairman of the Highlands Council that oversees the implementation of the 2004 Highlands Preservation and Water Protection Act.
The Highlands Council fired Swan earlier this month, and her deputy quit in protest. The council has not started a search for a replacement.
Feyl said recently that he has not been approached by the governor’s office about the Highlands Council post, and until and unless it happens, he is a candidate for his freeholder seat.
The freeholder board was also shaken up this year when a state appeals court ordered that incumbent Margaret Nordstrom be removed from office over a disputed June 2011 primary. Nordstrom had won the November general election.
William “Hank” Lyon, who was Nordstrom’s opponent in the 2011 primary, won a March 10 special convention ordered by the court. He was sworn in immediately following that election, and is serving until the end of the year.
That uncompleted term is on the November ballot.
Lyon, who has yet to file a nominating petition, said at the convention he will file one before Monday’s deadline.
With the addition of Lyon’s seat to the ballot, November’s election will see a majority of the seven freeholder seats contested.
The Morris County Clerk’s office said Tuesday that the following Republican candidates have so-far filed petitions: Incumbent Gene Feyl; Florham Park Councilman Charles Germershausen; Morristown Councilwoman Alison Deeb; Parsippany Councilman John Cesaro; former Mount Olive Mayor David Scapicchio; and former Washington Township Councilman John Krickus.
Jeremy Jedynak, a state employee, has declared his candidacy, but has not filed his petition.
Jedynak said he will file the petition on time. He said if elected he will refuse to accept the salary and benefits that come with the freeholder job. He receives his benefits from the state as part of his job.
Cesaro, Krickus and Scapicchio are running as a Conservative team.
No Democrats had filed petitions by Tuesday.
This post is shared among multiple Patch sites serving communities in Morris County. Comments below may be by readers of any of those sites.
John
2:58 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Gee, this guy is retiring after 15 years as a freeholder. Just so happens you have to be a freeholder for 15 years in order to get lifetime, taxpayer funded healthcare for yourself and your spouse. All for a part-time position.
chat5
5:34 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
" healthcare for yourself and your spouse"? It is the least the county taxpayers can do in return for the sacrificies of Freeholder Murphy's time for the past 15 years. His dedication has greatly contributed to Morris County being one of the strongest counties in the country. We should include any minor children as well.
MotownRepub
7:36 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Not commenting directly on Freeholder Murphy specifically, but only more broadly. I don't believe that part-time public employees should be given health insurance as part of their employment unless they pay for 50% while employed, and 100% upon their "retirement." Full-time positions are a totally different story, but these positions, especially at the municipal and county level, should be in addition to their actual occupation, they should not be offices that people seek in order to get retirement packages and health benefits - they should sought in order to be of service to their community.
Martatown
9:13 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
What corporations give lifetime health benefits to retiring employees? Not mine! John has done a great job for MC, but maybe these types of benefits should be lined up on the chopping block by the gov too. Gee, why are our taxes so high?
MotownRepub
11:31 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
That is exactly my point too Martatown. Pensions, especially for part-time elected officials needs to stop. All public employees should be allowed to contribute to a 401K type plan, but the days of lifetime benefits is simply not sustainalble or in the best interests of the tax payers. There was a time when they gave up significant salary in exchange for generous benefits, but now there are far too many public employees with high salaries and lifetime benefits for themselves and their family, it just isn't right.
Martatown
6:56 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Yes, the public sector needs to align with the private sector. This has nothing to do with John, it's about the general state of how public officials are compensated. The gov is finally setting the right tone for our state. Maybe one of these potential freeholders should add this to There platform.
MotownRepub
11:38 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Jeremy Jedynak, who is a state employee, has said that he will not accept any salary or benefits if elected.
The Stig
10:33 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
He's already getting HC from the state, so that's no big sacrifice. It would be nice, however, if Freeholder Chegwidden would also finally collect just one public paycheck. teacher, mayor, freeholder . . where does he find the time??
John murphy
8:04 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Hey folks. I have never blogged before but have to speak up here . I am not getting lifetime health benefits. You should get your facts straight before you blog about things you have no knowledge on. Thanks for letting me set the record straight. I have really enjoyed being a freeholder and will certainly miss the position.......but after 15 years it's time to move on and spend more nights at home. If you doubt me about the benefits please don't hesitate to call me at the freeholder office.
Dan Grant
7:15 am on Sunday, April 1, 2012
John, In non-presidential elections about 75 percent of the voters don't even bother to vote. Most people in public service try to do a good job and many of the complainers don't understand the time and effort elected officials put into the task. They call it part time but the fact is that a good elected official is not only taking away from family time but many times they lose income to serve. That is what they choose to do when they run. I wouldn't want someone who will do the job for nothing because that is either what they are worth or they have "other ways" of making money in mind. Thanks for your service.
jefco348
11:32 am on Monday, April 2, 2012
John ,I understand your firm handles the Morris County Pension fund,thats a nice perk......
RGJ
7:11 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
Murph has been a great freeholder and the county will miss him. The position pays nothing and the active freeholders like Murph are out most nights and travelling all over the state (plus he was also a volunteer fireman for years)..
If you have an issue with John, call him up, he returns calls.
Good luck John and best to the family.
chat5
8:10 pm on Sunday, April 15, 2012
to: jedco348 - you "understand" . Is that the same as I heard it from a friend who had a cousin who.......?
in short - you are wrong and misinformed. check facts before posting
MotownRepub
10:16 pm on Sunday, April 15, 2012
John Murphy has served Morris county well, his expertise and experience will be missed, especially after losing Mrs. Nordstrom's equally valuable contributions over the last dozen years. Good luck and thank you JM.