Nine of the 10 Republican candidates for Morris County freeholders gathered at the Chatham Township Municipal Building Tuesday to meet the voters and answer questions at the 2012 Candidate's Night, hosted by the Republican Club of The Chathams.

Participants in Candidates Night were incumbent and Freeholder Director William Chegwidden, of Wharton; Florham Park Councilman Charles Germershausen; Morristown Councilwoman Alison Deeb; Parsippany Councilman John Cesaro; former Mount Olive Mayor David Scapicchio and former Washington Township Councilman John Krickus; Jeremy Jedynak, of Rockaway Township and former Denville Mayor Ted Hussa.

Incumbent William “Hank” Lyon of Montville also attended and participated in the event. Lyon will run unopposed to hold onto term seat for the two years it has left.

Each candidate had five minutes to introduce themselves to the voters, with about 15 minutes reserved at the end of the evening for questions from the audience.

Candidates gave their opinions on cutting parks and library services; on whether they would accept or refuse salaries, benefits and pensions from the county;

Edward France, of Morristown, was the only Republican candidate who did not attend the Candidates Night. Incumbent John Murphy, of Morris Township, will not seek re-election.

Lyon earn a freeholders seat after a state appeals court removed incumbent Margaret Nordstrom from office in February, setting up a special county Republican convention to fill the seat. Lyon won the convention easily over France.

Former State Sen. Leanna Brown, a resident of Chatham Borough, was the chairwoman of Candidates Night.

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