Dawn fantasia

Office: County Freeholder
Age: 44
Political History: Franklin Councilwoman/current Franklin Council President, former Council liaison to the Planning Board, former member of the Zoning Board and Economic Development Committee, former elected member of Sussex County GOP (Hardyston)
Occupation: School principal, Bergen Arts and Science Charter School
Education: M.S. in Education, Educational Leadership, Capella University; B.A .in Theatre, minor in communications, Davis & Elkins College; graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
Family: Three children: Maria, Aidan, and Lila
Top three issues: Fiscal transparency is a must. An ordinance that establishes no borrowing that exceeds two percent of the annual county appropriations without voter approval will guarantee that debt acquisition is done in the open and publicly debated. Warren County has established this policy and has lowered its county tax rate. Expectations, timelines, and funding sources must be clearly communicated to the residents to foster trust in elected officials.
Next, prioritized spending to reduce and stabilize taxes must be implemented. In Franklin, our governing body has made it our first priority to differentiate needs vs. wants. As a result, we were able to reduce the municipal tax rate in 2016 by just over one percent, with no increase in both 2017 and 2018, with a Aa3 credit rating and healthy fund balance remaining while strengthening services and increasing resources.
Finally, communication must be clear, frequent, and truthful. You cannot govern at the county level if you don’t effectively communicate with each municipality. Be present! Listen to what municipal leaders need for their respective communities; don’t micromanage the municipalities or county employees. Our biggest asset is our human capital, and county government must steward a vision of unity, respect, and true servant leadership.