So it has been a while since my last post. I've attended every council meeting since being appointed to fill the Ward 1 Council seat back in January. I've attended every Board of Education meeting so far with one exception. I've worked with the Community Development, Deer Management Committee and recently met Susan Reinhart of the "People with Challenges" group and look forward to working with them. Today is a special day. I've won my first public election. My name was officially listed on the June 5, 2012 ballot for the unfinished term for Town Council Ward 1. I'll be interested in finding out how many folks voted for me. Also on the ballot was Mitt Romney as presidential candidate for the November 2012 election. Looking forward to having him as our next President of the United States. He'll put us back on the road to recovery and help facilitate job growth for the US. I'm looking forward to all the celebration and excitement that will be in Denville as we celebrate 100 years in 2013. I'll look to help organize and be apart of the planning. It will be a great year for Denville. More to come...

This is the first entry in my political blog and because I have been very busy learning what it takes to be a Councilman, I've had little time to document my activities over the past few weeks but let me try to play catch up now.

I was interviewed by the Council on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 along with Rob Simpson and Lou Haberman. I told the council during my interview that I will put my family, livelihood and faith first and any time I have left I willingly will offer that in community service. I gave them a short summary of my service to the community of the years. After a short debate by the council members, it was apparent that my community involvement in Scouting, Kiwanis, church activities, Christian Drama School, Denville sports and other activities over the past 28 years as a Denville resident stood out and I think a deciding factor in my selection. After a unanimous vote in favor of myself I approached the Dias and was sworn in my Mayor Tom Andes. I actually participated and voted on a few items that night.

Within 2 weeks of becoming a councilman I spent a day at Town Hall and met with numerous Department Heads, Tax Assessor, Engineering, Construction, Social Services, the Business Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, Public Works, Facilities Manager(IT) and Police Chief. It was like drinking water from a fire hose but I walked away much more knowledgeable about the "running" of Denville and very impressed the leadership that is in place to run our town.

Throughout the months of February, March and April council Workshop sessions focused on the 2012 Budget. Various departments: Denville Library, K-8 Schools, DPW, Police Dept, and others presented their needs for 2012. The Business Administrator, CFO, and Mayor voiced in on needs as well. On April 17th the Council unanimously passed the 2012 Budget.

In March I attended the Deer Management committee meeting. I also attended my first Community Development committee meeting and discussed the Rockaway River De-snagging project grant.

On March 17th many of the council members participated on an Open Space Tour. We visited 4 properties that will be discussed in open session in May 2012.

My wife and I attended our first official event, the Pride Council Dinner, on March 23rd.

On Sunday, April 15th I had my first official meeting with Ward 1 constituents. The Bald Hill Association met for a Post-Winter Party. I was able to meet and talk with about 30 members that live at the top of Hillcrest Road.

On Friday, April 20th I met with the Cedar Lake Property Owners group. I shared with them an update on Mayor Tom Andes 7 key priorities and shared numerous dates of events upcoming within Denville.

Finally, on Saturday, April 21st I attended Earth Day celebrations at Town Hall.

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