Democrats Upset Incumbents For Chatham Borough Council Seats

CHATHAM, NJ — Democrats Carolyn Dempsey and Jocelyn Mathiasen are the projected winners in the race for Chatham Borough Council against incumbent Republicans Peter J. Hoffman and Leonard Resto.

The unofficial numbers from the Morris County Clerk's Office:

• Carolyn Dempsey 1,975
• Jocelyn Mathiasen 1,906
• Leonard Resto 1,759
• Peter J. Hoffman 1,657

Results remain unofficial until certified by the county clerk. In close races, uncounted mail-in ballots could change the results.

Chatham Borough residents are facing several issues this year. First and foremost is the massive redevelopment plan for the Post Office Plaza. Borough officials intend that in addition to the public feedback sessions, they will utilize an online public platform, Planet Civic, for public input beginning in late October or early November. Once public outreach concludes in mid-November, a redevelopment plan that will be vetted by the Planning Board and the Borough Council in public sessions. The current proposed schedule has a final redevelopment plan tentatively submitted for Council consideration in January 2019.

The governing body is also considering whether or not to allow marijuana to be sold in town. At the Sept. 12 meeting of the governing body, Councilman James Collander appealed to the public for their opinion and Council President Len Resto said that he did not support the usage of marijuana past its medicinal application. But Councilman Bob Weber told Patch that there is no place for a proposed pot shop in Chatham Borough. Weber, a former Assistant Morris County Prosecutor for 26 years, said it is naive to think that regulation by the state will prevent those under 21 from obtaining and using marijuana.

The nonstop pouring rain did not keep voters home in what could be a record turnout midterm election. Even with the various issues facing local communities, President Trump was on their minds.

In one polling location, some shouted out, "Dump Trump!" while others walked in right beside them and excitedly said they think Trump is doing an excellent job.

"We are total Republicans and Trump has done everything right. We're voting for Hugin," said New Jersey resident Lorraine Luzzo, 82, with her husband, Louis.

"The economy is doing well, there are jobs, patriotism is back in our country," she said.

Others had clearly different views

"President Dump, as I call him, is hands-down the worst president we've had in a long time," said New Jersey resident Steve Laspina, 64. "He is ... an embarrassment to our country. I'm embarrassed by his racist policies and what he says."

"I agree!," said a woman walking by. "He is immoral, he's terrible."

Others said they weren't bothered by issues facing the man at the top of the Democratic ticket – Sen. Robert Menendez – who has been dogged by corruption charges for years

"That did bother me, but not as much as I hate Trump," chimed in another Democratic voter, who only wanted to be identified as Nick, 72. "And that doesn't bother me as much as Hugin being a big pharmaceutical executive and making millions off sick cancer patients. And Hugin raised thousands of dollars for Trump in New Jersey. He's a big Trump supporter."

"The corruption charges bother me, but Menendez is the lesser of two evils," said Dominick Rose, 36 who said he's begrudgingly voting for Menendez today. "I didn't like either Hugin or Menendez but you have to pick one."

Michael Alarcon, 42, is a Republican who voted for Trump. He said he will be voting for Hugin today because he thinks Trump has done a good job.

"Liberal Democrats screamed and yelled over the past two years and that's not how you govern. Instead, all that screaming and yelling is what has driven a lot of Republicans out to vote today," he predicted. "I think Trump has done an excellent job on the economy and on immigration."

Alarcon, who is Latino, was educated at Harvard University, works in finance, but declined to give details beyond that, saying readers would just stereotype him as a wealthy Republican.

"I have gotten some pushback from fellow Latinos for supporting Trump. But I think there is a separation in the Latino community between people who just believe what they read on the news and people who fact check it, and find the truth is quite different," he said. "And the media definitely has a purposefully negative attitude towards Trump."

Alarcon said he doesn't think Trump's immigration policies or rhetoric have been racist at all.

"He wants to make sure there is order in our immigration system. He respects people who follow the laws and due process to get into our country," he said. "And he's very correct in acknowledging that people do do things to take advantage, such as child trafficking and smuggling in drugs and guns and criminals. This is not about race at all."

Rose manages a car dealership and voted for Republican George W. Bush ("He was actually my favorite president"), Barack Obama, Trump and Gov. Phil Murphy. He said he would have voted for Bernie Sanders if he had been the candidate against Trump.

"I just try to look at the issues. This is actually the first time I've ever voted in a midterm. But to me, the issues are too important today: Healthcare, legalizing marijuana, which I strongly support, and tax reform," he said. "I think Trump has done a good job so far. But Hugin is not for legalizing marijuana, which I support."

(Photo courtesy of Carolyn Dempsey and Jocelyn Mathiasen)

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