JEFFERSON - A doozy of a primary battle is unfolding here between the Republican mayor and Christian Barranco, who barely lost his Assembly seat last year.

Barranco, who was in the Legislature for four years, has leveled a number of charges against Eric Wilsusen, who was first elected mayor in 2018.

One is lack of transparency. That is a common complaint for just about anyone running against an incumbent.

The other is a bit more serious - an accusation that the mayor is in conflict of interest.

That charge stems from the mayor's part ownership of a building on Route 15 that houses Atlantic Communications, a township vendor. So the point is easy to see. Is the mayor improperly collecting rent from a concern that does business with the township?

Barranco and his team want answers. Here is part of what they said in a recent letter to Jefferson Focus, an online local news site.

"But the answer to a transparency question cannot be delayed any longer. We are calling on Eric Wilsusen to release every invoice, purchase order, and disclosure related to Atlantic Communications within seven days, and to recuse himself from any township decision involving a vendor in which he or his business partners hold a direct or indirect financial interest, per our municipal code. We are also urging the Township Council to authorize an independent review of contracts awarded to vendors connected to township officials over the past ten years."

Guess what?

Wilsusen responded.

In a lengthy social media post, here is the salient part about the Atlantic Communications spat.

"Atlantic Communications, Inc has done business with Jefferson Township since 2004 - over two administrations and long before I became Mayor or entered into any separate business relationship involving property ownership. Not to mention during the two years I was NOT the Mayor and was retired from the Township! Atlantic has primarily used NJ State Contracts, Morris County Cooperative Purchasing contracts, and other cooperatives throughout for its services to many Federal, State, County, and Local agencies, including Jefferson. Atlantic is a local business that provides great service and is extremely responsive to ALL our emergency service organizations, who are very happy working with them.
So I ask: since when is it illegal, unethical, or improper to enter public office as a 17 percent partner in a commercial building in town that leases space to tenants - one of which happens to have a long-standing business relationship with the Township over two administrations?
My ownership in PES, LLC and other business ventures has been disclosed each year, as required by law for elected officials, on my financial disclosure statements.
Let me be crystal clear:
• I have 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 in Atlantic Communications, Inc.
• I make 𝐧𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 as Mayor
• I 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 any department to use any particular vendors "

All that may be interesting, but this primary - like most of them - is probably more about personalities and taxes.

Finances in Jefferson are challenging because the Highlands Act adversely impacts ratable growth, but of late, that has impacted the school district more than the municipal government. A public rally was held a few months ago to protest inadequate state school aid. Bills in the Legislature, introduced to remedy the problem, await action.

As for personalities, Wilsusen's post also presented this:

"In my opinion, this is a revenge run by Mr. Barranco. It is well known in political circles that we were not besties. I felt he was ineffective as our Assemblyman and legislator, and I was not afraid to say so."

Asked about that, Barranco denied any personal motive.

He said he's never had any cross words with Wilsusen and considers him a nice guy.

This June 2 primary, Barranco said, is about "taxes and sustainability."