“Everyone deserves an opportunity to be heard, and to have government officials who have their backs. In the richest county, in one of the richest states, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, nobody should be left behind.”
https://www.charlie4freeholder.com/meet-charlie
Here’s why we enthusiastically endorse Charlie Baranski for Morris County Freeholder:
Contract Vetting: I will rigorously review all county contracts to make sure they reflect fiscal responsibility and the values of constituents.
Comment: As the lone democrat on a board of Republicans, it will be an uphill battle, but I am committed to giving priority to contractors who pay fairly and care for our environment, constituents, and tax dollars.
Pay to Play: I will not exchange professional service contracts for donations to my campaign or the campaigns of my friends/allies. When possible, I will open contracts up for a competitive bidding process, instead of automatically renewing last year’s contract.
Comment: This behavior is exactly what I’m running to stop. I’ll never do it and I’ll always call it out.
Professionalism: I will commit my time and energy to full length meetings that make information accessible to the public. I will not support rushing through an abbreviated consent agenda.
Comment: Transparency has always been an issue for the current freeholders. I won’t insult the public by finally allowing them access to meetings only to race through them.
Meeting location: I believe meetings should rotate throughout the county in order to make attendance more feasible for residents of all municipalities.
Comment: I am conflicted on this idea. I am very much in support of transparency, which means ensuring that any venue is set up for live video and audio streaming of meetings. Once meeting schedules are staggered and accessible to all work/life schedules and we have ensured that nobody is unable to attend a meeting at the courthouse, I would be happy to look into traveling meetings and work sessions; but my first priority in this arena is transparency and accessibility at the current meeting site.
Meeting structure: I believe the bulk of the meeting should focus on county business rather than award ceremonies or speeches.
Comment: I like giving speeches, and I’ll get over it when there’s business to attend to.
Meeting accessibility: I support using technology to make meeting attendance more accessible for residents, via recording or live-streaming of meetings or other remote attendance options.
Comment: See my above comments. During and after the pandemic, everyone has the right to view and comment on meetings from their homes. We need to live stream and record every second of every meeting.
Information reporting: I support easily accessible online meeting agendas and minutes. I support user-friendly budgets so residents can easily see how public funds are allocated. I support user friendly agendas that include explainers about resolutions being voted on.
Comment: Our job as Freeholders is to do the nuts-and-bolts stuff and present it to the public, who have other things to worry about. It’s about time we did our jobs.
The “county line” in primary election ballots: Realizing that being placed in a preferential ballot position hinges on freeholder candidates and that the county line is misleading and manipulative to voters, I will take a firm stand against the county line and advocate for a bubble ballot as is used in every other state and in some counties in NJ.
Comment: I am very proud to fight every day against the county line. I am running off-the-line myself in this election, and I have seen how the current system stifles ideas and democracy.
Responsible County Entity Oversight: I will work to ensure that the county entities I oversee — libraries, parks, technical schools, community colleges, correction facilities, infrastructure — are safe, professionally staffed and appropriately funded.
Comment: This is the bare minimum.
Appointments to Boards, Authorities and Commissions: I will appoint people with diverse perspectives to boards, authorities and committees, opening up government for greater participation, rather than selecting the well-connected. Because new ideas and voices are important, I will seek out new residents to fill these board positions rather than having the same individuals serve for decades.
Comment: In my votes and picks, there won’t be any such thing as cronyism or patronage.
More information about Charlie Baranski:
Email: info@charlie4freeholder.com
Phone: 973 538 1659
Website: https://www.charlie4freeholder.com
Social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram
Education: High School: Morris County School of Technology
College: McGill University
Public/party service: Previous county party employee, staffer on multiple congressional and state campaigns, organizer with Canadian campaigns.
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