Good government needs good people. 

That, according to Morristown Councilwoman Alison Deeb, has prompted her to run for Morris County Freeholder.

"I love Morris County. I love living here," she said Thursday after filing her bid to run for one of three available seats on the all-Republican board. "I want to serve the people of Morris County. I feel with my interest in serving the people, my budget background, public administration, management consulting, and municipal experience, I'm a great candidate and I would be able to serve on that board with objectivity and a good fair mind."

According to her official press release announcing her candidacy, Deeb said her philosophy of government lies in Thomas Jefferson's idea that a government which governs best governs least. "It would not hurt to add that our elected officials who spend best, spend least," she wrote in the release.

Among her credentials, Deeb touts herself a fiscal conservative, voting against things such as pension deferrals and budget increases, according to her press release. 

"Not only have I shown the ability to be a watchdog in monitoring expenses, but I have been a bulldog as well in fighting to make sure we have responsible and necessary spending," she said in the press release.

Deeb, who won election to her second term on the Morristown Council in November, would have to leave her post there if elected. As the lone Republican on the majority Democratic council (the only other non-Democrat is Council Vice President Rebecca Feldman, an independent), Deeb has had a number of vocal tussles during council meetings.

Those challenges will serve Deeb well if elected to the Freeholder post, said Morristown Republican Committee Chair Frank Vitolo.

"By working with Democrats over her first term, it has given her good experience," he said. "She has really developed good skills. She's a hard worker, probably one of the hardest working councilpeople we have had in Morristown.

"She will work very hard, campaign very hard and I think she has a very good shot of winning," Vitolo added. "Although it's a loss to Morristown, I think she would do a terrific job for the county."

Morristown Democratic Mayor Tim Dougherty said it was no surprise to him of Deeb's intentions to run, as she had been collecting petitions for at least a month.

"I wish her good luck," he said.

Deeb, however, has a long road ahead of her before November. The GOP Primary is on June 5, and no fewer than six Republicans are vying for three seats, including incumbents Gene Feyl and William Chegwidden.

Deeb said she's not worried about the crowded field, however, "If you don't try, you can't win.

"I'm just running because I like to serve," she said.

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