Election 2022: Dawn Flynn For Chatham Township Committee

CHATHAM, NJ — Four candidates are running for two open seats on the Chatham Township Committee this November.

Democratic incumbent Stacey Ewald is running alongside Mike Choi and will face Republican challengers Ron Rubino and Dawn Flynn for their seats on the governing body in November.

Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. (All of the candidates were given the same questions).

The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here are candidate Dawn Flynn's answers below:

• Name: Dawn Flynn
• Age: 67
• Town of residence: Chatham Township
• Position sought: Township Committeewoman
• Party affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married, 6 children, 9 grandchildren
• Education: Applied Science Nursing - Registered Nurse
• Occupation: Recently Retired R.N. In Various Healthcare Settings
• Previous or current elected appointed office: None

Why are you seeking elective office?

I wish to serve my community, I have lived in Chatham Township for 30 years. I raised my children here and I am proud to be part of this community. I want to bring a common sense approach to the committee. My background and experience will offer needed diversity of thought to problem solving. I will approach issues from a fiscally conservative viewpoint but seek innovative solutions to the problems before.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish while serving on the council?

If elected I have four main areas I will keep as guideposts to improving Chatham Township. Primarily and as my first priority, we must ensure that our community reflects its hard earned reputation for safety. We must meet the rising car thefts and crime with sufficient resources for our Police Department, Fire Department and First Responders. Second, I want to address over development which has the potential to adversely affect our community and schools. Third, I will seek to limit and freeze property tax increases and hold down debt. Higher costs and more debt during this time of record inflation and rising interest rates cannot be the answer for residents. Finally, as a committee member I would carefully consider all committee decisions that affect our school system, we need to maintain our quality schools.

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing residents right now and what do you intend to do about it?

I am concerned mostly with the rising car thefts and crime. I answer that more fully in the next question. I am also concerned with over development. I have seen how these issues impact our daily lives and I have heard from so many residents about their importance. The increased stress on our infrastructure, added traffic, and need for community services are often referenced by residents regarding development. Dense or multifamily projects reduce open space and impact the natural beauty of our area. As a nurse I have always worked in a team of specialists and I understand the value of diverse skill sets. I will work to bring together the right people together to address the concern of overbuilding in our community.

Chatham has seen an increase in car thefts over the past year or so. Do you think the town is doing enough to combat this issue? If not, what needs to be done to better prevent these crimes?

If elected, I will make this my priority. The first step in finding a solution is to recognize the problem. My opponent has been on the Committee and never addressed the issue in 2020, and did not even mention the issue in any address as Mayor, when it peaked in 2021. We must continue to support the police and increase the number of cameras and license plate reading technology to monitor our roadways. The factors driving this rising crime are outside of our Township. This includes the policies of catch and release, teen offenders being recruited by auto theft rings and others. It will continue to be a challenge to address these locally, but we need to add pressure on the governor, legislature and attorney general. The current laws, policies and regulations are not working - the Committee must be the collective voice of the town to demand change. Car thefts may escalate into home invasions and worse if we don’t stop this. Unfortunately we have seen this already in other municipalities.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

I have raised 6 children! To raise six children, particularly as a working professional, you have to be organized. In over 30 years as a nurse I have had many different roles and increased responsibilities. I have acquired skills for careful listening, communication and empathy for people. I understand the importance of team work and I respect the specialization of skills. In healthcare decisions are often critical to the outcome of a patient, I know that details matter. I believe that all of these skills individually and collectively are transferable to serving the people of Chatham.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

If elected I promise that I will make the best decisions for building strong families, a safe community and the charm of the town. I have a lot of experience volunteering with the Boy Scouts in Chatham Township and I am proud to count among my children, three Eagle Scouts. I have volunteered with my Church and internationally to help the less fortunate. As a leader on home building missions in poor areas of the developing world I have learned how to work across nearly any divide. Now, as a retired nurse, I have the time to dedicate myself to this opportunity. It would be an honor to serve the people of Chatham Township and to give back to a place that has given me and my family so much.