Council Candidates: Ward 4

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. In Morristown, there are four spots open on the Town Council, one for each ward. In Ward 4, incumbent Republican Alison Deeb is being challenged by Democrat Denis Ciklic.

Patch asked each candidate to fill out the questionaire below. 

Name: Alison Deeb (Republican)
Age: Withheld 
Occupation: Over 25 years combined experience in management consulting, IT consulting and non-profit sector
Previous elected or appointed positions: Fourth Ward Councilwoman since 2008
Any other current elected or appointed positions: Council Vice President, 2010; Morristown Parking Authority Council Liaison 2011; Morristown Partnership Council Liaison 2009-2010; Environmental Commission Mayor Liaison, 2008-2009; Ten Towns Great Swamp Management Committee, 2008-2009; Whippany River Watershed Action Committee Liaison, 2008-2009
Other community associations: Windmill Pond Townhome Association 2006-current; First Night Morris County, 2007-2011, Great Swamp Watershed Association Gala Committee 2010-2011
How long have you lived in town? I've lived in Windmill Pond in Morristown since 1998

What do you see as the most pressing issues in a coming term, and what would you do about them? 
To stabilize and reduce property taxes.

The single most pressing issue in Morristown is to stabilize taxes, or even better, reduce taxes. Working toward that goal, I have: reduced town spending (by $1.2M); proposed elimination of taxpayer-funded health benefits for part-time elected officials (savings of tens of thousands of dollars); voted against the pension deferral and budget cap waiver; voted for the solar renewal energy project, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars in solar renewable energy credits and reduces sewer plant costs; supported the privatization of garbage/recycling (saving $750,000); supported moving police dispatching to the County (saving $200,000 annually). These actions translate into positive results for taxpayers.

I will continue my work on the Council with a focus on reducing taxes, on municipal costs and identifying more innovative ways to reduce town spending. I will also work to assure that reduced spending does not lessen the quality of life for town residents and does not threaten the residential character of our neighborhoods. I will explore and research ways to use technology to reduce service costs and increase efficiency (such as my paperless council proposal), and bring those ideas/proposals to the Town Council. I will continue to participate in the Morris County Government Efficiency Management (GEM) movement, which explores ways to work with nearby towns to share costs and services and make government more efficient.

What's one fact about you that most voters probably don't know? 

In 2001, I founded MARDOG, a non-profit dog park organization that raises money for off-leash dog parks. The parks are no cost to taxpayers, provide an exercise area for dogs and also provide responsible dog ownership education. MARDOG's efforts led to the creation of the first county dog park—Lewis Morris County Park—and planted the seed for the creation of other dog parks across the county. At this year's Morristown Festival, MARDOG hosted a booth and more than 200 folks signed a pledge to be respectful and considerate while walking their dogs in public places in the presence of Seeing Eye dogs.

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Name: Denis M. Ciklic (Democrat)
Age: 31
Occupation: Solar Analyst & Licensed Mortgage Banker
Previous elected or appointed positions (including previous terms in sought position, if applicable): First time running for office, "Every man is said to have his peculiar ambition ... I have no other so great as that of being truly esteemed by my fellow man, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem," –Abraham Lincoln 1832

Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Committee Member; Vice-Chair, Morristown Democratic Committee; Morristown Liaison to Whippany River Watershed Action Committee; Volunteer, Morristown High School Boys Soccer Coach; Home Delivery Volunteer for Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry; Democrats 2000's 2011 Recommended Candidates, www.democrats2000.com 

How long have you lived in town? Homeowner in Morristown since 2005 

What do you see as the most pressing issues in a coming term, and what would you do about them:

Most pressing issues are taxes and quality of life. On Town Council I will provide leadership and common sense principles where I will work with the administration to make sure we have an efficient and transparent government.

My experience as a financial planner and mortgage banker will benefit the council when we eliminate wasteful spending in our budget and lower taxes. My experience in the solar industry will assist the council to determine opportunities on how to save taxpayer dollars on energy costs with alternative energy for the large percentage of public and non-profit buildings that Morristown has. This has the potential to lower the building's operating costs and lower the amount of our taxes they need. And at the same time make our community more environmentally conscientious by lowering our carbon footprint.

I will work with the council to apply and lobby for the $50 million that the Morris County Improvement Authority has designated for energy projects. I will also work with the mayor to promote shared services with neighboring communities to once again lower taxes. 

I want to make sure that traffic, speeding and parking issues are being addressed so we can improve quality of life. A good place to start is by looking at www.morristownmovingforward.com and sign up for email updates.

I will also make sure that we are better prepared before a storm like Hurricane Irene happens again. It's about leadership and making sure there is communication and education on what to do if your power goes out or you get flooded out of your home and how to deal with it. I would like to see our electric grid updated for the 21st century and get protected from future issues of storms from climate change.

Leadership is about making tough decisions. I will always be well prepared for the meetings and do my due diligence before the council meetings. I will not walk out of meetings or skip meetings to avoid voting on controversial issues. That is not leadership. I believe public service is about trying to do something for someone else; it's about trying to make a positive difference. 

What is one thing the public might not know about you?

My wife Erin and I are expecting our first child in January. We don't know if it will be a girl or boy ... we want to be surprised!