Hey, Neighbor: Long Valley Resident Serving Morris County as Freeholder

Morris County Freeholder and Long Valley resident Margaret Nordstrom is no stranger to the political world. Her civic accomplishments span more than a quarter century, and it all began right here in Washington Township.

Born and raised outside Philadelphia and Chicago, Nordstrom received her bachelor's degree in political science from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She then received her master's degree in political science from Rutgers University, where she also met her husband.

Now serving as a Morris County freeholder, Nordstrom spends the bulk of her time making tough decisions chairing the budget sub-committee.

"The big issue is how to finance everything. Some stuff has to go and we have to work through it," Nordstrom said.

Her political career began 26 years ago, when she moved to Long Valley with her husband. She helped to stop plans she said could have turned her historic neighborhood into a four-lane thoroughfare. The Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission soon thereafter appointed her to serve on its committee.

Her knowledge and experience with preserving historical properties has now led New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to nominate her for the State Historic Sites Council.

"I'm really excited and I hope to be appointed," Nordstrom said.

Three years after joining the Washington Township Historic Preservation Commission, she ran for township committee, losing the first time but winning the following year.

"That was my first step into elected office," said Nordstrom. The members of the township committee then elected her as the mayor of Washington Township in 1994.

Nordstrom said her favorite things about Long Valley include the numerous historic districts and the vast open spaces. Besides her hobbies of fishing and dancing, she thoroughly enjoys taking walks with her husband on the Patriot Path.

"The trailhead is not too far from my house and the walk is really great," Nordstrom said. "It's such a wonderful amenity for people out here."

During her time as mayor, Nordstrom focused most of her energy on land preservation and planning for the future. She emphasizes the importance of being accessible to the public.

"I love going from door to door, talking to people and finding out what issues are important to them," she said.

One of her proudest accomplishments as mayor was initiated through the request of a longtime resident of Long Valley who wondered what happened to an old sign that listed war veterans. Nordstrom tracked down the sign and decided to establish a new memorial at Rock Spring Park, where ceremonies are still held today.

Her time as mayor included difficult situations as well. When the historic preservation commission began, some people were upset because they needed approval to change the exteriors of their homes.

"It took people a while to understand that we wanted to maintain the character of their neighborhood," Nordstrom said.

She eventually became active in county issues through organizations like Morris Tomorrow.

"It helped me understand where my interests were taking me and I decided to run for freeholder," said Nordstrom.

There was no pause in the transition from mayor to freeholder, rather a three-month overlap where she held both positions simultaneously.

"It was a very hectic situation. I had no time at all for a personal life," Nordstrom said.

As things calmed down, Nordstrom adapted to her new position.

"It takes a while to get a handle on county government because it is really big. The budget is $308 million; that's not a small, insignificant thing," she said.

Nordstrom and her elected colleagues prepare and approve the county budget; appoint officials to boards, commissions or authorities; supervise the administration of county government and take on individual tasks.

One of the projects underway by the freeholders that will affect Long Valley is the expansion of the county's communication facility, linking the same emergency dispatch system throughout all the towns.

Nordstrom said she made a number of changes to the standard operation of Morris County Freeholders that benefited the county and made officials more accessible to the people.

She started an economic development initiative, which is "really taking off," she said. "We talk to corporations in Morris County and ask how we can keep them here. It has opened up some really good lines of communication."

The practice of taking public meetings to different towns is another innovation started by Nordstrom.

"Contact with the public was the primary motivation, but it also gives us a chance to sit down with our municipal officials and find out what they need from the county," Nordstrom said.

Among the more difficult issues Nordstrom wrestles with is the 2 percent cap on year-to-year tax increases that Christie introduced. Nordstrom praises the Governor saying, "Christie is so great. New Jersey's economy was falling down a hole and he has stopped this downward spiral."

"The only way we can keep our budget under control is by stopping activities or programs that are too expensive, redundant or obsolete," Nordstrom said. She reports that these tough compromises are at the forefront of the freeholders' agenda.

"What we are seeing in New Jersey is the beginning of a different way of doing business," she said. "Going back in the opposite direction is going to be hard for a while but at least we are moving the way we should be."

Nordstrom said Morris County has begun to tackle the issues of conservation and alternate energy implementation. For instance, the county has an open space fund, built on a service-based tax approved by voters.

Additionally, the current freeholder director, William Chegwidden, has spearheaded a solar energy project, financed by the Morris County Improvement Authority, that will facilitate the placement of solar panels atop Morris County buildings and schools.

The freeholder said she is excited to be involved with government because of the "enormous economic challenge." She calls it, "a challenge in a good way."

"If we succeed, New Jersey will be far better off than it has been in the past decade," she said.