There will be no public forum for the candidates for the Madison Borough Council in 2025.
Democratic candidates for Madison Borough Council, Council Member Tom Haralampoudis and former Council Member Deb Coen were notified by the League of Women Voters for the Morristown Area that the planned League Candidate Forum for the two borough council seats has been cancelled because their Republican opponents refused to participate.
“We are very disappointed in the Republican decision,” stated candidates Haralampoudis and Coen. “We strongly believe that an informed and engaged voter is paramount to a thriving democracy. Our Republican opponents have rejected one of the most effective ways to reach voters and give them an opportunity to have their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them.”
“Council elections are important,” observed candidate Coen. “The many local services we receive – police and fire protection; leaf, trash, and recyclable collections; snow removal; our library and our parks, playgrounds, and fields; school crossing guards; affordable public housing; our electric, water, and health services; the maintenance of our streets, public parking lots, and storm and sanitary sewers – are all overseen by members of the Madison Borough Council.”
“The nonpartisan League of Women Voters has a long history of providing a unique and valuable service.” stated Council Member Haralampoudis. “Each year, the League invites candidates of all parties to participate in their Candidate Forum, where a moderator reads questions from local voters and each candidate is given equal time to respond and rebut if desired.”
Madison Democratic Committee chair Alix Jennings noted that “the last time we had a contested election for the borough council, the Republican primary write-in candidate, Michael Martinez, participated in the League Forum and the Madison Eagle praised all the candidates for doing so.”
As the Eagle observed on its editorial page: “It is vital that residents hear from their candidates in debates and press interviews, as opposed to controlled statements and one-sided media posts …”
“We fully agree with position,” stated candidates Coen and Haralampoudis, “just as we agree with the sentiments that had been expressed by the Eagle editor the preceding year when the Republican candidates refused to participate in the forum.
As the Eagle’s editor observed that year: “The Republican candidates for Madison Borough Council are doing a disservice to the public, and probably themselves, by ducking a debate with the Democrats.”
Candidate Coen continued: “Voters have a right to know the Republican candidates’ positions on important issues facing our town. Where do they stand on saving the Drew Forest, the potential redevelopment of Giralda Farms, the need for affordable housing, possible loss of state aid, protecting our environment and our historic neighborhoods and buildings? What will we do if there is another Superstorm Sandy, and there is no help from FEMA due to decisions being made in Washington? Have they even thought about these things?”
“It is our sincere hope that Madison can avoid the kind of dangerous politicization we see elsewhere across the country. In a town like Madison, a political party should not matter as much as the substance of the candidate –their positions, their experience, and their vision. Our elected officials represent all Madison voters. We welcome every opportunity for candidates for office to show what they have to offer and why they deserve the voters’ support,” Coen and Haralampoudis concluded. “Let’s have a debate!”