Communication is key in Denville campaign

The eight candidates running for four Denville council seats this year say there are three major issues in the township: taxes, spending and communication.

Improved communication with the public, some of the candidates say, could go a long way in quieting concerns about the township's finances and calming the township's turbulent political scene.

"A lot of the issues stem from a lack of communication," said Gene Fitzpatrick, a Republican running in Ward 3.

Seats in the township's four wards are up for grabs this year, with two incumbents -- Republican Tom Andes and Democrat Robert Grant -- trying to return to office.

In Ward 1, Andes faces off against 22-year-old Democrat Robert Pierce, and the Ward 2 contest features the GOP's Chris Golinski and Democrat Rick Thoeni. Grant is seeing a challenge from Fitzpatrick in Ward 3, and Democrat John Von Achen faces Republican Don Kuser in Ward 4.

Two of the seats, for the second and fourth wards, will see new representatives next year. Republicans Gerard "Jerry" LaMonte and Chris Dour both lost in the primary earlier this year.

That has many of the candidates talking about a fresh start for the township.

The candidates said they hoped a focus on communication will help the town move past local controversies in recent years, such as the construction of the nearly $7.5 million township municipal offices.

"It was a little excessive for the town's needs," said Pierce, a volunteer firefighter.

The recently built municipal building was part of several highly criticized capital projects that fueled the 2007 election of Mayor Ted Hussa and council members Howard Shaw and Nick Stecky.

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