Chatham Council And Committee Candidates Plan To Participate In Virtual Debates

CHATHAM, NJ — The League of Women Voters of Morristown Area will be hosting two upcoming virtual debates so far, for Chatham candidates.

The first is planned on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. for Chatham Borough Council candidates. The debate, with incumbent Democratic candidates Chatham Borough Councilwoman and President Carolyn Dempsey and Councilwoman Jocelyn Mathiasen, along with Republican Candidate Freddie Bicknese, is scheduled for a livestream on the League’s YouTube Channel. The Morris County NAACP is co-hosting the debate with the League. Though there is a webform here that the public may submit questions, as of Tuesday, the League is no longer accepting questions, according to the webform. Access the League’s YouTube Channel to view the livestream here, with the video posted after the debate.

The second virtual debate so far this election season for the Chathams is for the Chatham Township Committee, also planned online at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28 here. Additionally co-sponsored with the Morris County NAACP, the debate is between Kathy Abbott, the Democratic candidate who was sworn in as a Township Committee member and its Deputy Mayor, following the departure of Mayor Tracy Ness; and Republican candidate Mark Lois. As of Sept. 21, the webform for that debate is still open and accepting questions here.

League of Women Voter representatives are planning to be in the Chathams so far on:

• Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a voter information booth at the Chatham Fishawack Festival.
• Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a voter information booth at the Chatham Farmers Market.
• Saturday Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a voter information booth at the Chatham Farmers Market.

To see the League of Women Voters full events schedule and check back for updates, click here.

According to their website, the League of Women Voters of Morristown Area serves the Chathams, Madison, Morristown, Morris Township, Morris Plains and Randolph.

For the League of Women Voters of Morristown Area’s website, visit www.lwvmorrisarea.org and to contact the group, go to LWVMorrisArea@gmail.com.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.