Morris Township Deputy Mayor Mark Gyorfy and Tara Olivo-Moore, a local healthcare professional and Board of Health vice chair, on April 5 announced their candidacies to run for Morris Township Committee.

Gyorfy, Morris Township’s deputy mayor who is also a volunteer firefighter and former advisor to a New Jersey member of Congress, is seeking his second term on the governing body. Olivo-Moore, a nurse practitioner and former emergency room nurse currently serving on the Township’s Board of Health as vice chair and on the Board of Adjustment, is seeking her first term in elected office.

“Three years ago, I announced my candidacy for Township Committee calling for 21^st century solutions for Morris Township’s 21^st century problems,” Gyorfy said.  “I have worked diligently with my colleagues since then to prioritize resident communications, establish our Transportation Advisory Committee, and bring cleaner, 21^st century infrastructure projects to the Township.

“We have made great strides, and I am determined to continue moving forward robust policy proposals to ensure Morris Township isn’t just prepared for the future, but becomes a model for local governance,” Gyorfy added.

Tara Olivo-Moore also looks to the future in Morris Township. “I want to focus on bringing resiliency to Morris Township’s planning and programs,” Olivo-Moore said.

 “I believe that resilience is the key to a livable future. The coronavirus pandemic made me think about how we meet challenges, and how to prepare for the challenges we cannot see yet. Planning for resilience and sustainability will make Morris Township a safer place for all our residents, which makes us more attractive to young families. In my time on the Board of Health, I have really seen our Township Department of Health take on such a difficult situation, and I want us to be ready to meet the next one,” Olivo-Moore said.

Deputy Mayor Gyorfy and Olivo-Moore are seeking to secure the Democratic nomination in the June 8 primary and will be reaching out to Morris Township residents with their detailed vision in the coming weeks.

Mark Gyorfy was born and raised in Morris Township and was first elected to the Township Committee in 2018 at age 26. Gyorfy has chaired the Communications and Legislation standing committees where he has driven initiatives with his colleagues to enhance the Township’s constituent communications as well as introduce important legislative measures.

These measures address traffic concerns, protect the environment, provide for electric vehicle charging, and strengthen requirements for redevelopment proposals. As chair of the Infrastructure Standing Committee, he led efforts to renovate the public waiting room at Convent Station.

Gyorfy is a Morristown High School graduate and later studied government and counter terrorism at the University of Maryland. He then worked for U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (NJ-08), advising the congressman on issues including homeland security, veterans’ affairs, and financial services policy.

A volunteer firefighter for over a decade, Gyorfy continues his service as a member of Hillside Hose Company No. 1 where he is a lieutenant. He currently works in the financial services industry.

“I am excited to be running with Tara to continue advocating on behalf of our neighbors,” Gyorfy continued. “Now, more than ever, it is crucial for our governing body to keep public health considerations top-of-mind, which is why I am incredibly grateful for Tara to have stepped up to represent our neighbors on the Township Committee.”

Tara Olivo-Moore is a nurse practitioner in family practice with a background in emergency nursing. She holds history degrees from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Wisconsin, and nursing degrees from UMDNJ (now Rutgers) and William Paterson University.

She was an early participant in Fridays With Frelinghuysen, starting in January 2017. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, she became a United States citizen in October 2009. With her husband and two children, she has lived in Morris County since 2004, and in Morris Township since 2015.

Olivo-Moore is an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown. She has volunteered with La Leche League, Moms Demand Action, Red Oaks School, Morristown High School, Action Together NJ, and NJ 11th for Change. In her spare time Tara likes to take her dog for walks at Lewis Morris Park.

“I’m delighted to be running with Mark. His love and commitment to his community is so clear-not everyone would commit to run into burning buildings on behalf of their neighbors, but Mark has. He has broad experience, deep roots in our township and a vision for our community. I’m really looking forward to working together with him.”