Warren County’s two freeholder candidates laid out their visions for the future Monday morning in a small radio studio.

Incumbent Republican Jason Sarnoski and Democratic challenger Carol Cook squared off for a live debate on WRNJ Radio. Lehighvalleylive.com was invited to help moderate the discussion.

Sarnoski handily won re-election the last time the pair faced off in the 2016 election. The Hackettstown resident is seeking is fourth three-year term on the all-Republican board and said he has helped lead improvements to the county library system, set up an opioid addiction task force and fought mandates from Trenton while reducing the county’s spending.

Cook, of Blairstown Township, has a history of volunteerism in the county. The Democrat described herself as fiscally conservative: "I'm not a wild-eyed spending liberal,” she said. Her biggest issues involve development, improving options for commuters and spreading high-speed internet.

Here is a summary of the stances they presented during the WRNJ debate. The audio can be found on the station’s website.

VOTER OUTREACH

The candidates were asked how they are inspiring the county’s 80,000 registered voters, fewer than half of whom typically turn out for a general election with no national races.

Cook said she has been attending planning meetings for the White Township warehouses and in touch with Franklin Township residents about separate warehouse plans there. She said supporters are canvassing the county on her behalf. “A lot of them know me because I've been involved for so many years,” she said.

Sarnoski said that freeholders naturally have higher public profiles because they represent the county. "I'm out there all the time,” he said. “With three freeholders, you've always got a meeting, you're always busy, you're always trying to do something and represent the people."

WAREHOUSES

A question specifically referred to the controversial 6 million-square-foot Jaindl Land Co. warehouse concept pitched in White Township.

Sarnoski said the county is developing a guide for municipalities to plan ahead with land use and zoning. He said he is meeting with Hope Township about managing truck traffic, and has set up a sitdown with Jaindl about land preservation, though he could not offer details. "The freeholders can't dictate to the towns how to use our land but we can help guide them,” Sarnoski said.

Cook said that warehouses will wreck tourism in the county. She said she has some ideas about the problem but as a candidate cannot develop them from the outside. “I think the fact that (warehouses are) even here is absolutely disturbing because all of our property values will go down,” she said. “ No one, no one will want to come here and battle with these monster trucks."

ATTRACTING BUSINESS

The candidates were asked what kind of commerce they would like to see in Warren County, and how they plan to draw it here.

Cook said there should be a focus on farmers and driving customers to what is already here. Developing education for trade jobs would also help the county economically. "We have to reach out and find out what people want in the county,” she said.

Sarnoski said that an economic development board he started is already asking that and provided ways to boost agricultural tourism. He added that the county community college offers programs for trades growing in demand, like drones and opioid addiction counselors. "It’s really about understanding your community, understanding your needs,” he said.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Asked if medical marijuana could be a viable crop for Warren County farmers, the candidates also weighed in on recreational use.

Sarnoski said he wants people who need medical marijuana to have easy, inexpensive access, and said “if there was a viable industry, our farmers would love to grow it." But he doesn’t think the industry is there yet – it is still federally illegal – and emphatically opposed recreational use of marijuana.

Cook said she supports the use of medical marijuana, but broadly stated there is an over-reliance on pain medications. "Medical marijuana, if it is a prescription and they take it at home, I am for that,” she said. “I am not for (recreational use). But how does one separate them? ... That, I don't think is a freeholder issue."

BUDGET AND TAXES

The freeholder board has boasted about how it has reduced its budget over the last several years. But can it keep cutting and reducing taxes without impacting essential services?

Cook said each expense needs to be carefully considered and could not say if she would raise or lower taxes. "Unless you can figure a way to have a money tree somewhere, I don't know how you can lower taxes when expenses rise,” she said. "As far as keeping the taxes low, I don't think anyone can predict the future."

Sarnoski said he blames Democrats in Trenton for rising expenses thanks in part to reduced school funding. But he touted the county’s three new libraries built on a reduced budget and said early projections show taxes should at least remain flat next year. "Carol says she doesn't know how to lower taxes while expenses are rising. Well, guess what? I've done it,” he said.

COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS

The candidates were asked how the county can improve outreach to its residents.

Sarnoski said the freeholders have formed a group to recommend better social media practices. The county has increased its social media presence and developed a newsletter to advertise everything from tourism to roadwork.

Cook said she agrees social media is the best way to get messages out, but said the county needs to monitor its responses as well.

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Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.