Daughtry: 'How About Best Qualified?'

When Art Daughtry decided not to run for Montville Township Committee last year, it was because he had made a campaign promise not to serve more than two terms.

But now, one year later, Daughtry is running again, after being asked by Mayor Jim Sandham. His reason, he says, is simple: He is unhappy with Deb Nielson's performance on the committee, wants to promote transparency, and, according to Daughtry and Sandham's campaign website, perform a review of all township spending.

According to Sandham, Daughtry was at first reluctant, but by late February or early March, Daughtry decided to jump back into politics.

Recent developments with regard to creating a more transparent committee, Daughtry called commendable, and he specifically referred to the efforts of committeeman Scott Gallopo. But Daughtry says these are only the beginning, and more transparency still is needed.

"Scott is addressing the more traditional definition of transparency," Daughtry said. "The problem I have is…closed session is the hiding ground of things that really shouldn't be talked about in closed session; That needs to really, really be looked at if the township committee is really being honest and open with the public."

Daughtry went as far as to say he'd like to sit down with a polygraph machine and discuss township issues with members of the township committee.

He believes his integrity makes him a good candidate.

"Everyone that has ever worked with me in this Township knows 'I don't Dance," Daughtry wrote in an email to Patch. "I will not mislead our citizens, unions, or our town employees. Does this approach get me in trouble-sure-but in the end I believe we are all better for being honest with each other."

In a recent , Montville Democratic Committee chair Truscha Quatrone asserted that Sandham and Daughtry are teaming up to unseat Nielson.

"Well my response to the question is Truscha is correct regarding Jim and I trying to unseat Deb," wrote Daughtry. "I do not at all agree with the inference that this is the men against women. How about best qualified?"

Daughtry vies for a chance at one of two open township committee seats, along with his running mate Jim Sandham and opponent Deb Nielson, all Republicans. Sandham is current mayor and Nielson and Daughtry are former mayors.

The primary will be held on June 7.

For an article about Jim Sandham, click here.

For an article about Deb Nielson, click here.