Diversity Will Make the Borough Council Wiser

Dear Editor:

My husband, David Thomson, and I have lived in Chatham for almost 25 years. It’s been a wonderful place to raise our kids – and we wouldn’t trade our experience for the world. However, the world has changed a lot since 1994, and in some important ways, Chatham has failed to evolve with it.

Don’t believe me? Take a stroll down Chatham Borough’s Main Street shopping district. Then, take a short drive to Madison, Florham Park, Summit or New Providence. The difference is striking. Our neighbors can take advantage of in-town vibrant shops, restaurants and experiences. While we have some of those, the overall impression of someone driving through our town would be of a dreary, down-on-its-heels locale that has been left behind.

Next, take time to consider the make-up of our local government. Until very recently, our Council has been a one-party machine, with minimal female or Democratic representation. Although progress is being made, having one Democratic voice and one woman on the Council is not enough. In fact, it’s no longer representative of our town, and it isn’t particularly wise.

I don’t think I need to remind anyone about the perils associated with a government that features too many entrenched incumbents and too few women – the sad results are on display nationally every day. In contrast, when you’re looking for new, breakthrough ideas, and you want to raise the bar of any team, more diversity and more women are key. A 2016 Harvard Business Review article by David Rock and Heidi Grant (both of the Neuroleadership Institute) points out that diverse teams are more likely to reexamine facts, remain objective and keep their collective cognitive resources sharp and vigilant. And, a 2011 Harvard Business Review interview with Anita Woolley (Carnegie Mellon) and Thomas Malone (MIT Sloan) reviews and defends research suggesting that the collective intelligence of a group rises when there are women involved in that group – in fact, the more women, the better.

Please take time to vote on Tuesday, November 6 for Carolyn Dempsey and Jocelyn Mathiasen – two Democratic women who want a chance to represent and serve YOU on the Chatham Borough Council. One more thing – local elections are often won or lost by a handful of votes so try to bring a registered neighbor or friend with you to the polls. Your vote really matters!

Sincerely,

Jean Gogarty