Quatrone Preparing For Freeholder Race

Truscha Quatrone says she is ready to face William "Hank" Lyon, the who won in last week's Republican primary for Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Quatrone, the Democratic candidate for freeholder, says that her opponent is not as familiar with some of the issues as she is, and says that he is taking a straight conservative approach.

Quatrone says that many issues have been voted for and "approved by the populous of Morris County," including the purchase of open space.

"The state of New Jersey has the heaviest population density of any state in the United States," said Quatrone. "In Morris County, one of the things that makes this county so attractive is that we have beautiful green open space."

Quatrone says she is also concerned about funding for higher education, specifically referring to decreases in funding to the County College of Morris.

"Getting higher education at an affordable price is important, but that can't happen without funding," Quatrone said. "The businesses in this county really need to have students that are prepared with the skills, so they can have a workforce available to hire."

Quatrone says she is also concerned with ways to save county taxpayers money.

"We need to be the leader in the state with expanding shared services," Quatrone said. "Look at our board of education…all these municipalities having all these school boards; try to regionalize that…I know that this is being talked about more and more, but we have to stop talking and we have to start doing.

"I think if we do that, Morris County residents will see a lowering of their taxes."

Quatrone moved from New York City to Montville Township 22 years ago and has been an active Democrat for much of that time. She is in her second year as chair of the Montville Township Democratic Committee.

But Quatrone sees herself more as an opposition candidate than as an ideologue. In Republican dominated Morris County, she feels that both parties should be represented.

"If I lived in Essex County I probably would be a Republican," said Quatrone. "The reason why is what makes our country strong is having the diversity of a two party or even a three party system; that's what checks and balances are all about."

Quatrone says she runs to give voters that choice.

"No seat should ever go uncontested," she said.