MORRISTOWN – Answering questions from constituents is a basic responsibility of elected officials. It’s especially true of local elected officials whose decisions most closely impact the quality of life in their communities.

Yet, across Morris County, local Republican mayors, council and committee members declined or ignored an invitation to debate offered by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters Morris Area and their partnering organizations.

This is like applying for a job and refusing to show up for the job interview. Republican elected officials expect voters to give them the “job,” yet they refuse to answer questions in a League-sponsored debate.

League Credentials

The League has a national reputation for organizing and moderating debates for more than 100 years. They have a 24-page planning document that its members use to organize debates. Moderators undergo training before they can serve as a host for a debate. They follow Federal Election Commission guidelines.

They are careful to review questions from the public and screen them for relevance to issues the candidates would address if elected. The League ensures no bias or personal attacks are allowed. These debates provide voters with an opportunity to get to know the candidates, learn about their policy stances and explain how they will govern.

Importantly, their debates are live-streamed and then archived for viewing on YouTube.

No other organization offers these services to candidates and the public.

Yet, local Republicans across Morris County ducked out of debate invitations.

“You would think local elected officials would jump at the opportunity to debate challengers in a League forum that’s live streamed and available for later viewing by voters,” said Morris County Democratic Committee Chair Amalia Duarte. “Instead, they are ducking out of this basic responsibility to voters. It’s unconscionable that they refused the League’s invitation and yet want voters to support them for another term.”

In Boonton, for example, there is an incumbent, Cyril Wekilsky, who was first elected in 1988. He is refusing to debate a first-time candidate, Melissa DiSalvo.

Last August, the League invited candidates to participate in nonpartisan debates with partners, including the New Jersey Hills Media Group; the Morris County Chamber of Commerce; the NAACP, Morris County Branch; and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Morristown Alumnae Chapter.

According to a press release issued by the League of Women Voters Morris Area, the following debates could not be organized:

Boonton Town Council
Democrats Agreed: Melissa Couch, Marie DeVenezia, Melissa Di Salvo, Benjamin Weisman
Republicans No Response: Daniel A. Balan (incumbent), Robert F. Salvo, Michael Wade, Cyril Wekilsky (incumbent)

Boonton Township Committee
Democrat Agreed: Raymond Menard
Republican No Response: Thomas SanFilippo, Jr. (incumbent)

Mendham Borough Council
Democrats Agreed: Mark Vandenhende, Robert Ritger
Republicans Declined: Matthew Bruin (incumbent), Alexandra Henry-Traut

Mendham Township Committee
Democrats Agreed: Susan Luciano, Mark Trokan
Republicans Declined or No Response: Sarah Neibart (incumbent), Nick Monaghan (incumbent)

Morris Plains Council
Democrats Agreed: Tyler Pontier, William (Bill) Houston
Republicans Declined: Catherine “Cathie” Kelly (incumbent), Adam Tyburski

We applaud the elected officials who accepted the League’s invitation. Last week, Chatham Borough Democratic incumbents and their Republican challengers participated in a League debate. Incumbent council members and a Republican challenger debated in Dover.

All eight candidates in Randolph – the incumbent Republicans and Democrat challengers – accepted the League invitation and will debate on Oct. 16.

The Morris County Commissioner incumbents, all Republicans, and their Democratic opponents will debate in a League forum on Oct. 29.

Also, in six nonpartisan Board of Education races, the candidates agreed to participate in debates with the League.

Those debates are available to watch, either now or in the future, on the League’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/MorristownAreaLeagueofWomenVoters.