No Hesitation Supporting Carolyn and Jocelyn

Women are heeding the call to lead our country, and this activism is alive and well in Chatham Borough. Carolyn Dempsey and Jocelyn Mathiasen have taken the crucial step of running for Borough Council so they can serve the community in a more impactful way. They are working mothers attuned to the unique challenges that face Chatham Borough households. Their voices provide a perspective that the Council needs and deserves.

If you’ve raised children in the last ten years, you may have crossed paths with Carolyn in the numerous music classes she teaches, including at the public library. She teaches Spanish to our elementary school students in After School Enrichment programs, and has supervised many projects in her church, our schools and local philanthropic organizations. In addition, she is a small business owner and a member of the Chatham Borough Historic Preservation Commission - an especially important voice to have on the Council as we plan major redevelopment projects.

Jocelyn’s professional expertise renders her especially qualified for a Council seat. With a degree in Public Policy from Harvard, she has focused her career on getting more for taxpayer dollars by increasing municipal efficiencies, getting grant money, and cutting red tape. She also offers invaluable advice on several Chatham forums, including the one she founded, Chatham College Sanity. These community groups have helped to spread knowledge and foster a stronger sense of community.

In the history of Chatham Borough, only 12 seats out of 131 have been held by women. It’s time for more inclusion on our Council. More women should be in on the decision-making in our wonderful town. But don’t vote for them just because they are women, vote for them because they are qualified women. Ask them questions when they knock on your door - Carolyn and Jocelyn would love the opportunity to speak to you.

Nicholas Eck

Chatham Borough