You Matter: Vote for Mathaisen and Hay

Dear Chatham neighbors,

I’m Patrick Ryan, an 18-year-old lifelong Chatham Borough resident and proud first-time voter. I registered to vote at a League of Women Voters drive at Chatham High in September 2023, and I encourage everyone eligible to do the same. Voting is an essential part of democracy—it’s how we shape the future of our communities.

I am looking forward to supporting our local candidates. One of the things I love about our Borough Council is how connected its members, as well as Mayor Dempsey, are with residents. Seeing our mayor and council members, like Jocelyn Mathaisen and Kate Hay, actively participate in community events—like the 4th of July Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, Fishawack and the community concerts—brings us closer together and makes me proud to live here.

Chatham has become a more inclusive place because the members of our Borough Council really foster that welcoming spirit. After all, we are one community with many stories. As someone with autism, inclusion is very important to me, and I was touched when they honored me with a proclamation for Autism Acceptance Month. Their commitment to raising awareness for causes like Veterans, World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, Black History, suicide prevention, and Pride Month shows how much they care about making sure everyone feels included. And that’s just a few examples! It’s clear that Jocelyn Mathaisen and Kate Hay work hard to make Chatham a place where everyone feels supported, and I really appreciate their efforts to build such an inclusive, welcoming community.

In April 2024, Jocelyn Mathaisen worked with Congresswoman Sherrill to help secure an $850,000 grant to renovate ECLC, a special education school in town. Thanks to her efforts, students with disabilities will now have access to updated facilities, including ten new therapy rooms. It’s critical we continue to support leaders like her who make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.

At a recent debate, Kate Hay spoke about her connection to the disability community and her journey from a Chatham student to Borough Council member. Her fresh, young perspective adds valuable insight to the council.

On November 5, I’ll be voting to re-elect Jocelyn Mathaisen and Kate Hay because they are dedicated, hardworking leaders who truly care about every resident. I encourage my fellow Chatham voters to join me in supporting Mathiasen and Hay. Together, we can build on the great progress they’ve made and continue moving Chatham forward with strong, inclusive leadership.

Sincerely,
Patrick Ryan