Voting For Morris Plains’ Future: Letter To The Editor

The following is a letter to the editor from Craig Moran and Pam Dise-Moran:

November 3, 2026, is an important day for Morris Plains. It’s a day when residents will have the opportunity to take an active part in deciding the future of The Community of Caring. One of the most important ways they will shape that future is by electing the town’s new mayor.

In the 18 years we’ve lived in Morris Plains, there have only been two mayors. In recent years, there has also been growing resistance to new ideas raised at council meetings. The response, “This is the way it’s always been,” has become increasingly common. This is why the 2026 mayoral election is so important.

Perhaps the starkest contrast between the two candidates lies in how they view Morris Plains. The current mayor appears to rely heavily on the town’s rich tradition and quaint character, and there is certainly a lot of which to be proud. However, the past will only take us so far. We also need to think about the future. What was good for Morris Plains four, ten, or twenty years ago may not be what’s best for the town in 2026 and beyond.

Nancy Verga has demonstrated during her time on the Borough Council an eagerness and willingness not only to keep Morris Plains current but also to help move it forward. Her efforts are evident in the various grants she has secured and programs she has initiated for the town.

She is deeply committed to the town we call home. In times, both before and during her time on the Borough Council, she has always been approachable and genuinely interested in hearing different viewpoints. If you approach her with a question she can’t immediately answer, you can be sure you’ll have your answer by the next time you see her. These are essential qualities in a town leader.

Nancy takes the time to have conversations with people and is genuinely interested in their thoughts, opinions and ideas. As a town resident, it means a great deal to be able to speak with
someone in local government and feel like you’re being heard. It means even more when that person feels like someone you could relate to – someone who cares about the same things you do and doesn’t come across like a typical politician.

One of the most widely discussed issues in Morris Plains over the past few years has been the fate of the former Friendly’s property. In what has become a controversial vote, our current mayor cast the deciding vote in favor of a McDonald’s fast-food restaurant with a double drive- through. At the time of the vote, several council members said they could not support the proposal because too many questions remained unanswered. Our current mayor said that all questions had been addressed and voted in favor of the proposal without any further explanation. It’s difficult to understand how multiple people who attended the same meetings could conclude that important questions remained unanswered while another person could declare that all questions had been addressed. This discrepancy raises questions about the decision-making process and the reasoning behind the final vote.

Our town deserves a mayor who can provide the necessary oversight and daily presence, follow up on issues requiring timely responses and simply be there when her attention is required. She has also been a major proponent of more transparency in town meetings.

As a couple who live adjacent to our downtown and intend to live in Morris Plains for many years to come, we care deeply about our town. It is important to us that the people making
major decisions for Morris Plains be just as invested in its future as we are. For these reasons, we are supporting Nancy Verga. Please consider doing the same.

— Craig Moran and Pam Dise-Moran