Old Bridge Zoning Board Member Forced To Resign Over Social Media Comment

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A member of the Old Bridge Zoning Board, the Environmental Commission and Open Space Committee was forced to resign Tuesday after she made comments on a Facebook post criticizing a woman for having too many children, according to a letter released by the mayor.

Earlier this week, a young woman posted on the Old Bridge New Jersey Residents Facebook page saying she, her husband and their three kids could not afford anywhere to live in Old Bridge. The woman said it was difficult for them to find an apartment or a house on an income of $6,000 a month, and she said that's why Old Bridge Township should allow more affordable housing to be built.

The woman's post attracted nearly 300 comments, and one of the was from Zoning Board member Doreen Chevalier. Her comment, in total, read:

"So you really should educate yourself about affordable housing pricing instead of spouting off about how you ca (sic) live on 6000 dollars a month. Maybe you should learn to budget better. There are plenty of retired people who have much less to live on. Also it's a builders out to get approved to build and the unit price goes up after 3 years. Maybe you shouldn't have had 5 children used birth control like anyone else who knew how to budget wanted more children but knew they couldnt (sic) afford to have more children . Also you can move to Trenton and other areas that have lower rent. If you can't afford it in old bridge make the sacrifice like other people have had too and settle for what you can afford."

On Tuesday evening, Old Bridge Mayor Debbie Walker released a letter that said Chevalier had been forced to resign from her three volunteer roles on the Township boards.

"The statements made by this individual are not representative of Old Bridge Township, its officials, employees and volunteers," said Walker in her letter. "And the Township has a zero-tolerance policy regarding inappropriate postings on social media platforms that negatively impact the Township of Old Bridge and its relationship with the community ... The Township of Old Bridge will continue to insist that all members appointed to any Township board or committee comport themselves appropriately, especially when it relates to communicating with the public."

Chevalier did not respond to Patch for this article. Walker also did not respond to a request for additional information.

Walker also said Old Bridge will be training all members appointed to Township boards in the new year about how they should be interacting with, and speaking to the public.