If Freeholder a Yes, Council a No for Dickson

Councilwoman Ellen Dickson would have to step down from her seat in Ward I if elected as Union County Freeholder in November.

Dickson announced she would be running for an at-large county seat last week at the Summit Republican City Committee's Mini-Convention to nominate Dave Bomgaars and Tom Getzendanner for re-election.

An amendment to state statute 19:3-5 states that "a person elected to public office in this State shall not hold simultaneously any other elective public office." This amendment came into effect February 1, 2008.

If elected as freeholder, Dickson would then vacate her seat on common council with a year remaining. The Summit Republican City Committee would then nominate three candidates and council would appoint one of them to fill Dickson's vacated seat.

Dickson was unclear on the state law regarding dual office holding as of last week, but said today having to step down from council would not have effected her decision to run.

Monetary compensation for county freeholders is $30,000. Current Union County Vice-Chairwoman Deborah Scanlon has Summit roots and former mayor Frank Lehr is also former freeholder.