Let's Build a Better Chatham

Dear Editor,

The first question I’m often asked when people hear about me running for Township Committee is, “Why are you doing this?”

The answer is really quite simple, because I care. I care about our children, I care about our families and I care about our community and I want to help Build a Better Chatham.

I grew up in NJ, just a few towns away in New Vernon, and have been a resident of Chatham Township for nearly 10 years.

During this time, I have taken an active role in the community -- from serving on the Zoning Board, to coaching youth soccer and teaching religious classes at Corpus Christi. I am the Communications Chair of the Chatham Education Foundation (my term expires next month) and served on the Board of the Delbarton Alumni Association for nearly 10 years two of which as President. 

I’m also the Founder and President of The Chatham Turkey Trot –– an annual race on Thanksgiving Day in the Highlands section, which in the past four years has raised more than $25,000 for the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Diabetes Research Institute.

In addition, professionally I have been involved with the public relations and communications field for nearly 20 years, having served as the former First Deputy Press Secretary to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, while I currently serve as the Director of Corporate Communications of CIT Group, a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies.

I have taken this campaign and opportunity very seriously and have been out meeting with local organizations and visiting the various neighborhoods around Chatham Township talking with residents and listening to their concerns.

One of the most important roles of any government organization is to communicate with its residents both in good times, so they are aware of what their local government is doing on their behalf, and in times of crisis. I believe my nearly 20 years of communications and political experience is relevant to the issues facing the Committee today.

I encourage you to visit my website, CurtForChatham.com to learn more about my campaign and my efforts to help Build a Better Chatham and to also Like my Facebook page Facebook.com/CurtForChatham to keep abreast of campaign activity.

My goal is to ensure that Chatham Township remains a great place to live and raise a family.  As a father of three beautiful children, I will ensure that this goal is achieved.

I hope you’ll join me in Building a Better Chatham and I ask for your support on June 4^th.

Curt Ritter