Mangravite: Hone in on Plans for Finances, Ratables

One thing's for sure this year in Morris Plains' municipal elections: Winners will outnumber losers.

It's a three-way race for two open Morris Plains Council seats, with incumbent Republicans George Coogan and Joseph Cecala Jr. facing a challenge from Democrat Frank Mangravite.

Patch asked each of the candidates to share information about themselves and their platforms. Mangravite's responses are below. For information from the other candidates, see here.

Name: Frank Mangravite

Age: 65

Occupation: Government efficiency consultant

Previous elected or appointed positions (including previous terms in sought position, if applicable): None

Any other current elected or appointed positions: None

Other community associations: Rotary Club of Morris Plains, president 2008-2009; started fourth-grade essay contest at and ; currently organizing 15 area Rotary clubs to raise $230,000 for the Interfaith Food Pantry's new building on one acre of former 'Greystone' property leased from the County. Member of Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church; led Christ's Helpers volunteers to provide minor maintenance for any person of limited resources in the area; participated in Appalachia projects to repairs and upgrade homes.  Former trustee of the P.G. Chambers School for multiply handicapped children. Former staff volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

How long have you lived in town? Since 1986.

What do you see as the most pressing issues in a coming term, and what would you do about them?

Keeping taxes down (many residents—seniors, those out of work—are hurting):

• Try to get the sewer fee Morris Township charges Morris Plains reduced since the 25-percent increase implemented in 2009 has resulted in the Morris Township Sewer Utility having a $3.2 million surplus after two years (as of 12/31/11).
• If elected I will offer to conduct a free audit of the Morris Township Sewer Utility to try and identify any savings, which would benefit both towns. In 1998, Morris Township hired me to audit their sewer utility and I found 30 percent potential savings in their operating budget exclusive of debt costs.
• Propose temporarily ceasing the downtown sidewalk beautification program for which Morris Plains spent $276,934.65 in 2010 and 2011.  This work was paid for with funds borrowed as notes meaning the principal will have to be paid back in the future, possibly requiring a tax increase.
• Pay attention to each expense.  Look for fresh ways to reduce costs. Do a better job of comparing what we do to what other towns do. 

When Warner Lambert was in Morris Plains, it paid over 30 percent of the taxes, now the largely empty Pfizer buildings and, across the street, the empty Johnson & Johnson buildings, all on the former Warner Lambert site, pay about 16 percent of the taxes.  The fate of these two large facilities, the largest by far in Morris Plains, are of great concern to the residents.

An economic development plan is needed that includes: 

• An economic development committee
• A business advisory committee
• Information package for prospective businesses (Hanover Twp. has one, we don’t)
• Improving downtown’s appearance
• Use of our parks and open spaces to attract residents to our downtown (a separate plan for this is detailed)

Under the previous administration (Mayor Al Florin), Morris Plains had an economic development committee of retired and active business leaders that successfully helped attract businesses to our town's The American Way business park. Our current administration sees no need for such a committee. Hanover Township, where Bayer’s US pharmaceutical headquarters has just decided to relocate, has such a committee.

Morristown has a business advisory committee of business owners who recommend ways to make their town more business friendly.  Morris Plains has no such committee.

What's one fact about you that most voters probably don't know?  I am a Democrat who is a fiscal conservative.