I am writing in support of Harry Shortway as the choice for Vernon Township mayor.
I have known Harry and his family from his days in Ridgewood and from my days growing up in Hawthorne. The Shortway family has a history of public service that goes back years, and he is uniquely qualified to run the township and its complicated budget process.
He has done the job before and has beaten back the ugly disease of cancer, so he is ready to take on his next challenge.
I had the honor to be appointed as chairman of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), and Harry was there to guide me through the process of turning the organization around and building up the cash reserve and not raising rates for two straight years.
Harry’s experience as a coach has made him uniquely qualified to work as a team and get the job done. Harry never looked for any credit when he accomplished a great task but rather gives the credit to the team and this is what we need in a fearless leader.
Vernon has many financial challenges ahead in terms of Legends, the Town Center, the VTMUA as well as future development. We need a leader who understands these challenges and looks past partisan lines and works with all kinds of viewpoints and political parties.
He is the one who understands how to spend the grant money to upgrade our water and wastewater infrastructure.
Harry has one the best work ethics because he learned early that this type of trait will help him succeed in almost any endeavor. He was recognized as Mayor of the Year and that was because he helped turn Vernon into a community where people want to live and for businesses to prosper. He helped Mountain Creek out of bankruptcy with a solution that not only helped the resort, but it helped to stabilize the VTMUA.
Vote for a true leader with a proven history with the positive attitude that is ready on day one to gidder done!!!
Vote Nov. 7 for Harry Shortway for Vernon Township mayor.
Mike Furrey
Vernon
Editor’s note: Furrey is a former Township Council member and former chairman of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Greenway Action Advisory Committee and Environmental Commission.