Gervasio intends to make a race of it in Morristown

Morristown mayoral candidate Jim Gervasio doesn't know whether the presence of GOP gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie will help him as he attempts to disrupt Democratic Party rule in the county seat heart of Christie's home base. 

"I think it's too early to tell," said Gervasio. "Hopefully more Republicans would come out to vote than usual. Party loyalists will vote top to bottom, especially if it's a really close race. If he maintains his lead, he could help me. Would I campaign with him (Christie)? Absolutely."

Gervasio, a local businessman and Morristown Parking Authority commissioner, is in a contest with Zoning Board chair Tim Dougherty, who defeated Mayor Donald Cresitello in the Democratic Primary. 
 
"My main issues are taxes and safety and the impact of development on quality of life," said Gervasio, who does not believe Cresitello followed a transparent process while advancing numerous development projects in Morristown.

As an initial Cresitello backer who helped get the mayor elected four years ago, Dougherty is part of the problem, as far as Gervasio's concerned.
 
"Cresitello appointed him ombudsman and they're part of the old-time Democratic machine and part of the Democratic Party's way of doing things," said Gervasio. "His wife's the chair of the party and he's on the zoning board."
 
A Marine Coprs veteran who received the Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts for his service in the Vietnam War, Gervasio later taught school in Parsippany and opened his own T-shirt store in Morristown.

His family's lived in Morristown for 125 years. The candidate's  father, Emilio Gervasio, 99, served two terms as mayor: from 1972 to 1976, and from 1980-1984. 

Morris County GOP Chairman John Sette knows Gervasio is the underdog in a Democratic town, but pledged to give his party's candidate "whatever it takes" to defeat Dougherty and the Democrats.

"There are three freeholders running, Chris (Christie) is running, and you have the Assembly running, which means you're going to have large turnout in Morris County," said Sette. "It's a winnable race. We're talking about an incumbent mayor who borrowed $1.4 million for tax appeals. I think there's a lot of good issues in Morristown."

That incumbent isn't on the ballot, but like, Gervasio, Sette believes the fact that Dougherty was once a Cresitello backer and a mayoral appointee gives the GOP ample ammo.