Meet our 2022 Candidates, James Myers and Jennifer Meehan for Council, and Art Bruhn for Mayor.
Meet Art Bruhn
I am running as a Republican for Mayor of Morris Plains. Here are some of my accomplishments and qualifications that will help me be a great Mayor!
I am a 25 year resident of Morris Plains.
I received my BS in Accounting from Rutgers University.
I have been on the Council for five years, currently in my second year of my second term as a member of the Borough Council.
My responsibilities on the Council have included:
- Council President 2020;
- Chairman, Finance Committee 2020, 2021;
- Chairman, Public Health, Sanitation & Sewer 2018;
- Chairman, Buildings & Grounds 2022;
- Member, Shared Services Committee 2019, 2020;
- Member, Website Committee;
Do you like the new Borough website? I helped to create it. I have applied for and received BPU Clean Energy Grant for the town's first Electric Vehicle Charging Station
I continue to enjoy bi-partisan relationships with fellow council members.
No, I am not finished!
I am an Active member of Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years having served as Past President of MPFA, Treasurer, Past Lieutenant, Past Engineer and Asst Engineer
Being a proud father of a sports minded son, I have participated in the Morris Plains Basketball Association.
I am a past coach for Morris Plains Little League, Morris Plains Recreation Soccer, Morris United Travel Soccer.
I am married to Cristie VanOrden Bruhn. We have a son, Jack.
I am seeking the office of Mayor because I want to make sure our taxes are maintained at an acceptable level to permit seniors to remain in their home and to attract new residents to this great Borough. I have chosen to live and remain in Morris Plains. I was on the governing body during the pandemic so I have seen first-hand the effects of that time on our citizens and our Borough. I want to enhance Speedwell Avenue so cars stop to visit our businesses, not just drive through on their way to other towns. I support our law enforcement. Safety and the well-being of all our citizens are vital to our growth. I can join with my fellow Republicans to right the harm caused by the pandemic and the downward economic turn. Republicans made this Borough great and we can continue to make it great!
Meet James Myers
I am a lifelong resident of Morris Plains, apart from college and the Jesuit Volunteer Corp. I returned with my wife Theresa to raise our children in the same wholesome town I grew up in. We chose to move back to Morris Plains because we valued not only the town services, but the way of life in Morris Plains. The Community of Caring represents a safe, friendly community which looks after its residents and welcomes newcomers and visitors alike. With three children, James 19, Colin 18, and Ryan 15, I have dedicated the past 19 years to our town's youth. As year-round coach of soccer, basketball, and baseball, and a CCD teacher, I have had the privilege of meeting many parents and children, learning what their needs and concerns are. I served on multiple school board committees fighting against combining districts into mega-districts and fighting against ceasing busing for our children. I was the inter-town liaison for soccer, representing Morris Plains with Morris Township and Morristown. I had the privilege of serving on the Morris Plains Basketball Association (MPBA) for 14 years, 5 of those as president. I was instrumental in: growing the program into one of the largest and most affordable multi-town leagues in the area; building the basketball courts at Community Park; donating a new scoreboard and a new gym floor at Borough School; purchasing a new sound system for the town; along with many other projects. I was just recently honored with the award of "Volunteer of the Year" from the Morris Plains Recreation Commission. My family has strong roots in Morris Plains that date back 175 years. Growing up in town and being the son of our town Historian, I spent years learning about our history and how all aspects of our town came to be. I believe that knowing where we came from and how our community developed is vital to the preservation of our services, our way of life and our property values. I attended school at Community Park, which is now the Community Center, Borough School, and Morristown High before heading to Providence College in Rhode Island. As a student, I worked as a paperboy delivering the Star Ledger, at Ronnie's Deli which is now Chase Bank, as a cook and lifeguard at Community Park Pool, at the Morris Plains Pharmacy and in the office of St Virgil's Parish. All of this strengthened my understanding of who we are as a town and what we need to move forward as a community. Coming from a multi-generational family of residents, I have a strong understanding of the needs of our community from our youth to our seniors. As a 25-year member of the hospitality industry and a private owner of a tourism company, I know how to collaborate with people of all backgrounds to help them reach their goals both personally and financially. Through contract negotiations, research, fiscal responsibility, and customer service, I have helped build strong and prosperous organizations. I will take use these skills to listen and learn from all our residents and move our town into the future with the same drive for success. Anyone who knows me, knows that I will listen to everyone's thoughts, analyze the data by looking towards our history and our future, and then base my decisions on what is BEST for Morris Plains as a whole.
Meet Jennifer (Keating) Meehan
I am proud to be a lifelong resident of Morris Plains. In fact, I was born the day after my parents moved into the home where they still reside today! Although not yet officially called “The Community of Caring,” Morris Plains possessed that same sense of community that continues to attract new residents. The comfort in familiarity, the friendliness and the sense of safety were some of the benefits of my being raised in Morris Plains; they are some of the qualities that influenced my desire to remain here and to raise my family here. As a student of the first class to attend grades Kindergarten - Fourth at Community Park School, (before attending and graduating from Borough School), I appreciate the quality education that I received in Morris Plains schools and the nurturing manner in which it was delivered. My two now adult children, Mark Ferraro and Kendall Ferraro-Camacho also attended Morris Plains schools, graduating in 1999 and 2006 with both participating in school and town sponsored sports. I enjoyed being active in both their academic and sports activities, volunteering for HSA events as well as Little League and Softball activities. While my children were student/athletes at Morristown High School, I continued to volunteer in support of the Football and Lacrosse Programs and oversaw the Booster Club Operations for the Girls Basketball & Volleyball teams from 2008-2010. I am married to Mark Meehan, a retired Detective Lieutenant of the Morristown Police Department and present In-Service Training Coordinator and Range Master at the Morris County Public Professionally, I have enjoyed a 33-year career with AT&T where I held various positions during my tenure with core competency concentration in Service Management, Customer Relations, Sales & Service Operations, Contract Management & Analysis and Financial Reporting. A top rated performer throughout my career, I possess excellent problem solving, analytical and interpersonal skills. These skills that I have developed over my tenure at AT&T will allow me to bring the experience of working effectively with others to the table and get things done! In 2018, I returned to AT&T as an Independent Contractor and still hold that position today. I love Morris Plains! I know Morris Plains! I am set to join a team that brings in fresh thinking and valuable ideas that will move our community forward while maintaining the quality of life and core values that make Morris Plains so unique and a desirable place to call home.
Let’s hear from long-time Morris Plains residents, George Young and Mickey Toye-Young explain why they support the Team of Bruhn, Meehan and Myers.
This team seeks to keep our taxes stable and revive our downtown.
As they campaign throughout the Borough, please give them some time to listen to their platform.
This weekend, they will be in blitzing the Borough, knocking on doors and speaking to the voters.
🇺🇸 Vote for Bruhn, Meehan and Myers on November 8th!
Art Bruhn for Mayor
Jen Meehan and James Myers for Council
They ask for your vote on November 8th! ... See MoreSee Less
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Let’s hear from long time Morris Plains resident, Bob Beller as he speaks about Jen Meehan.
Vote Bruhn for Mayor and Meehan and Myers for Borough Council! ... See MoreSee Less
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She has out vote.
In the early Spring, we shared the biographies of our Municipal candidates: Art Bruhn for Mayor
And Jen Meehan and James Myers for Council.
Now, let’s hear from the candidates, their relatives, friends and neighbors about this great team!
🇺🇸 Vote for Bruhn, Meehan and Myers on November 8th! ... See MoreSee Less
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Our candidates hit the streets this past weekend visiting the Morris Plains Farmer’s Market and voters in District 3 and 4. A wonderful perk when you go door to door in the fall… you meet the great residents of Morris Plains and eat great food at their block parties! ... See MoreSee Less
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Our candidates had a busy few nights. Tuesday evening, Mayoral Candidate, Art Bruhn and Candidate for Borough Council, Jen Meehan hit the streets in District 1.
Then last night Borough Council candidate, James Myers joined Jen to visit some residents again in District 1 while our candidate for Mayor fulfilled his Borough Council duties as he attended the League of Municipalities dinner. ... See MoreSee Less
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Mayoral candidate, Art Bruhn represented the Morris Plains Fire Department at the 9/11 Memorial Service here in Morris Plains.
Retired NYFD member, Greg Manning spoke to the crowd of Borough School students, other residents and dignitaries about his experiences serving with Squad 41 in the South Bronx and on the FDNY’s Special Operations Unit. He worked at Ground Zero for months and shared stories about this time as well.
It is important for the next generations to hear the stories - the tragedy of that day and unity of the days, weeks and months after. ... See MoreSee Less
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As September 11th comes to a close let’s take time for reflection.
Let us always remember the men and women who raced to the Twin Towers and the Pentagon to search for survivors of the 9/11 tragedies.
When looking back on that day, Mayoral Candidate, Art Bruhn remembers how helpless he felt. He was and is a first responder with the Morris Plains Fire Department and wanted to go to the “site” and do his duty. Soon, in the days and weeks after, he realized that his duty was here serving this community.
Let us each keep the memories of that day alive and vivid so that we NEVER FORGET! God Bless us all and God Bless the United States of America. ... See MoreSee Less
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Great pictures!
As the anniversary of 9/11 is upon us, it is good to reflect on the events of that day. Candidates for Borough Council shared their memories of that day and days and months after and how it affected their lives.
Jen Meehan shared that she was at a loss to explain to her children the events of the day.
James Myers spoke of all his family and friends and then of the many customers he had stranded in Europe and those forced to land and remain in Canada.
Both remember the sadness but also the goodness that showed through in the bravery of the first responders, the generosity of strangers to donate supplies and the Unity shown across the country.
#9/11neverforget ... See MoreSee Less
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A day of remembrance!
Morris Plains takes a step in the right direction as our downtown welcomes Woodham Korean BBQ.
Mayoral Candidate, Art Bruhn joined by Borough Council members Sal Cortese and Dennis Wagner, attended the soft opening of Morris Plains’ newest restaurant.
“Owners were very friendly and welcoming,” Art said. “Food and atmosphere was phenomenal! I recommend going to eat here and trying for yourself.”
Let’s all do what Art says and support this new business and Morris Plains! ... See MoreSee Less
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So happy to see Morris Plains grow and flourish. I know my son Dennis loves being a part of this community ❤️
go get em Art
Heard it was great!!!!
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to go!