Morris Plains GOPers Line Up For Re-Election

With two open seats in the Morris Plains Council, only two candidates have entered the race for the June primary.

Republicans Laurie Fu and Joseph Cecala Jr. have signed their petitions and entered for re-election. No Democrats have filed petitions to enter the race.

So if no one else enters the race or mounts a write-in campaign, Fu and Cecala can expect easy wins. But Cecala noted there are no guarantees, and expects to campaign.

Cecala and Fu have both served on the committee (Fu is an incumbent, Cecala a past member).

About Joseph Cecala Jr:

Joseph Cecala Jr. was a Morris Plains councilman for eight years, but was defeated last year. At the time of the last election, Cecala was unable to go out campaigning because he was bedridden for several months due to a severe burn, he said. Now fully recovered, Cecala said he plans to come back strong and go door-to-door. 

"I'm definitely going to be out campaigning. I'm going to do whatever it takes," Cecala said.

Cecala has lived in Morris Plains for 29 years, and currently works at Madison Public Schools. He has participated in a number of associations in the borough. Cecala was previously the chairman of the Morris Plains Recreation Commission, and is currently a member of the 9/11 Memorial Committee, and the director of the Morris Plains Family Day Fireworks. He is the founder of the deer culling program.

This candidate said his goals are controlling taxes, expanding shared services, keeping traffic down, and making the center of town look more presentable. 

Cecala recently cleaned the 9/11 Memorial with the help of volunteers, and he also works to ensure the pool and parks are kept in good shape.

"If we had the town out there doing all the work it would be costly," Cecala said. "The volunteers help us offset the costs."

About Laurie Fu:

Laurie Fu has lived in Morris Plains for 18 years, and is running for re-election this year after serving on the council this past year. Fu currently serves on the Strategic Planning Committee, and works with the Presbyterian Church's Women's Organization, Sustainable Jersey Program, and the Municipal Alliance Program. She also served on the Board of Education for seven years.

Fu recently helped organize a for the Sustainable Jersey Program that took place on April 14. She has done a number of things to help make the borough a certified sustainable community.

Fu said her biggest goal is to control taxes so they don't become an increasing burden on the residents.

"The biggest challenge for us is to find ways to offer the services we offer and make our town appealing and attractive to residents without increasing their taxes," Fu said.

Fu said that she would continue to look for ways to share services with other communities, the school district, the county, and to find grant opportunities to get funding from other sources.