MORRIS COUNTY — Accusations of misconduct and abuse continue to bounce back and forth between state Sen. Anthony Bucco and his primary challenger, Morris County Freeholder Director William Chegwidden. On the day Gov. Chris Christie endorsed Bucco in the June 7 Republican primary, Chegwidden accused the longtime legislator of "abuse of power." Bucco (R-Morris) paid more than $44,000 in...
William Chegwidden, Wharton mayor and freeholder director (left), is running against incumbent State Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) in the June 7 Republican primary.MORRIS COUNTY — Accusations of misconduct and abuse continue to bounce back and forth between state Sen. Anthony Bucco and his primary challenger, Morris County Freeholder Director William Chegwidden.
On the day Gov. Chris Christie endorsed Bucco in the June 7 Republican primary, Chegwidden accused the longtime legislator of "abuse of power."
Bucco (R-Morris) paid more than $44,000 in taxpayer funds for legal advice to the Riverdale firm Johnson, Murphy, Hubner, McKeon, Wubbenhorst, Bucco & Appelt between 1995 and 2009. Anthony Bucco Jr., who was elected to the Assembly in 2009, was hired by that firm in 2004. Sen. Bucco continued to pay his son’s partners for advice on legislation and other matters.
"This kind of nepotism and patronage is what has rightly caused the public to lose faith in government," Chegwidden said. "Senator Bucco should know better than to so transparently act in his own self-interest."
Chegwidden’s thrust was quickly parried by the Bucco campaign, which admitted to paying the firm, but argued there was nothing untoward about a well-respected lawyer earning less than $3,000 a year for worthwhile legal advice.
Bucco and Howard Appelt have worked together for 30 years, and Appelt was Morris County counsel while Bucco was a freeholder.
"We are not surprised that we are already seeing desperate and baseless attacks from Bill Chegwidden," said Bill Hildebrand, a Bucco spokesman. "He will say anything to avoid a discussion of his documented record of runaway spending (and) higher taxes."
Chegwidden has been mayor of Wharton since 2002, and indeed the tax levy has risen 77 percent during his tenure.
But Wharton is not too different from most municipalities, which have seen a dramatic increase in their municipal taxes during that same span.
Review of local government finance records show tax levies across the state rose about 80 percent since Chegwidden took office.
"Wharton’s taxes have gone up?" Chegwidden said. "You’re darn right they have. What legislation (has Bucco) pushed through to help?"
Chegwidden defended his record on spending, saying mandates from Trenton, coupled with less state aid, have forced towns to reach deep into residents’ pockets. Wharton’s state aid has been reduced more than $220,000 — more than 25 percent — since Chegwidden took office.
"I get tired of hearing that it’s the municipality’s fault," Chegwidden said. "They’re not doing this right, not doing that right. I started thinking to myself, who makes these laws that put us in the situation we’re in? It’s the legislature. We’re playing by their rules."
Trenton is a convenient excuse, Hildebrand shot back.
"He can spin it any way he wants," Hildebrand said, "but facts are facts."
Bucco enjoys the backing of U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11), Christie and most other Morris County public officials.
Chegwidden has picked up endorsements from Freeholder John Murphy, Chester Borough Mayor Bob Davis and Chester Township Mayor Bill Cogger.