Mayoral Candidate to Tackle Property Taxes, Transparency

A new face has emerged for the November election. Edward France will be running as an independent against Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, who was previously unchallenged. 

Dougherty, now completing his first term, is a former at-large councilman. He has served in the past as Board of Adjustment chair and spent two terms leading the Morristown Democratic Committee.

Check out this Patch article to learn more about France's background. Here’s a look at his top issues:

Property Taxes

Morristown in 2013 maintains the highest property taxes in Morris County, he said, adding that residents need relief and taxes need to go down at least to Morris Plains and Morris Township levels. "This hurts families, business and anyone trying to survive here."

"I fought the ($150,000,000) debt refinancing that Morristown did in the mid 1990s that cost Morristown taxpayers over $25,000,000 in interest alone. Those were real dollars. As a result of that vote in the 1990s, one third of the Morristown fiscal budget over the past 14 years has gone to pay for debt service. This raised property taxes as well and hurt so many taxpayers here. I fought that vote. That is my record. I have never raised property taxes.”

"I will do everything to reduce taxes."

Freedom in Morristown

France said that residents need freedom from the "politics" that has ruled the people here and maintains that the administration is too involved in the politics of the town council.

“They meddle in council elections, and work to get rubber stamps, friends and campaign workers on the board. This causes fear, and less freedom of ideas and speech. Hurts everybody who lives here. Very political and unfair (and) does not reflect Morristown.

"Politics have caused high property taxes, has caused many residents to feel left out of major quality of life decisions being made, and diminished the quality of life in town."

He said his solution is use his experience, love of Morristown and of its people to lead the town back to a time of respect and listening.

"That is what I grew up with here. I learned leadership from listening to, and watching Morristown leaders who have passed on. Good people like Robert J Tracy, Teddy Denman, Robert Lucus, and my father Steven R France. They all were straight talking, honorable, intelligent, brave men who always put the good of the people in Morristown first. They are my heroes. I look to them for courage and guidance. Morristown will be a place of respect for the people, not politics."

Quality of Life

"For too long as a realtor in Morris County I have had to listen to others make jokes about Morristown. Outsiders have told me: Morristown is all about red tape and high property taxes. It hurt to hear these statements. As mayor I can take action on many quality of life issues.

"In my heart, I believe Morristown's best days are ahead of it. It will take hard work, energy, faith, love and hope. My record is, I do not quit. I will not quit. When the residents learn and understand how much I love them, and Morristown, they will have the faith to put me to work for all of them.”

Residents can call France with any ideas or suggestions at 973-668-2591

"I will not ask people for any money, just a vote. The choice is between the failed ways, or the bright new future that includes the residents as the priority and putting them first,” said France. 

“If people share my vision of lower taxes and of a brighter future they will make history and vote for leadership, not politics.”