Chester Borough Mayor Texts Governor For Business Assistance

CHESTER, NJ - Chester Borough Mayor Janet Hoven is exhausting all avenues in order to get her downtown the assistance it needs, and that includes sending a text message to Gov. Phil Murphy with her ideas.

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Hoven made the move after trying, and failing, to see any movement on reopening of small businesses.

"Together we have written emails to the Governor's staff seeking some relief for our small brick and mortar retailers," Hoven said.

Despite her and Chester Township Mayor Marcia Asdal's pleas on the weekly Governor's Staff call, there was "no movement on a change."

So Hoven shot him a text.

Governor Murphy's staff asked if Chester Borough would host a meeting of mayors of towns smaller than 5,000 and on May 5 of 2018, Murphy spent a morning in the Borough.

"He texted me afterwards and complimented our town and said to let him know if he could ever assist in any way," Hoven said.

So she took him up on his offer and asked for assistance.

"I explained that I was afraid that some stores won't reopen and that these are truly Mom and Pop stores, many owned by residents of both Chesters," Hoven said. "I asked him to please allow for curbside pick-up and asked him to contact Rob Field from his staff as Rob has the plan we all sent to him in our emails."

Hoven said she told Murphy that the stores are not "non-essential" to the store owner's family or to our community.

"Understanding that he is in a difficult position, I asked that he please ease the difficulty the retailers are having in this small way," she said.

And Murphy responded within 15 minutes.

"We traded texts, and he said he completely understands and that he takes this request very seriously," Hoven said. "I texted that I would let you all know his response, and he texted back that the request had 'already gone to the team.'"

Hoven said she offered to help him in any way she can to make the suggestion a reality.

"I do believe that he has heard us," she said.

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