Letters to the Editor

Council Needs Dissenting Voice

A member of Vaughan's campaign calls the former mayor "a man of vigor and tireless work ethic.'

Dear Editor, Chatham has lost a dedicated public servant and a man of high integrity and character with the resignation of Mayor Vaughan. Many people may not be able to understand his sudden decision, many would suggest he should have just sat the next month out or went on vacation. However, and I say this with all sincerity, in his four years Mayor Vaughan was a man of vigor and tireless work ethic; as a friend, I know that it is not in his character to hold the position as merely a figure head. While I trust and honor the decision of the voters, Mayor Nelson Vaughan's resignation should serve as a cold reality check on politics in Chatham Borough. Chatham once again has an all-Republican council, filled with men and a woman who are so …

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Former State Senator: 'I Would Have Resigned, Too'

Leanna Brown says Vaughan's lame duck period was all negatives, no positives.

Former State Sen. Leanna Brown, a long-time resident of Chatham Borough, said she sympathized with Nelson Vaughan's decision to resign one day after he lost his re-election campaign. "I think it's an awkward time at best," Brown said. "A lame duck period has its pluses and minuses. I think for Vaughan it had all minuses, and I would have resigned, too." Brown said Vaughan's mayoral style, which she described "very hands-on," likely made the loss tougher for him to bear. "He spent a lot of time in Borough Hall. That's Vaughan's style and I respect him for it," but "it's not a very cheery thing to do, ... [to] walk into a place where you've been kingpin, and now you're a displaced kingpin." Bassam Gergi, the campaign manager for Vaughan's …

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Poll: Does Vaughan's Resignation Tarnish His Reputation?

Borough mayor steps down one day after losing bid for re-election.

When Chatham Patch readers learned of Nelson Vaughan's resignation from the role of mayor a day after he lost his re-election campaign, reactions varied from grateful to disappointed.  Vaughan told Chatham Patch he was stepping down in order to prepare for the birth of his first grandchild, due next month. In his letter to Borough Clerk Susan Caljean on Wednesday, he said, "The reality was clear to me after my loss on Tuesday evening that I have neglected my familial duties and [I realize] now more than ever that they are the signle most important priority in my life." Councilman and Mayor-Elect Bruce Harris is currently the acting mayor, in the absence of Council President James Lonergan who is out of the state on vacation. Chatham Patch …

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UPDATE: Dems Submit Candidates to Replace Vaughan

Former congressional candidate Douglas Herbert, along with Eck and Wecker on the list.

Just one day after losing his bid for re-election, Nelson Vaughan resigned as Chatham Borough mayor Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately. Vaughan told Patch he cleared out his office Wednesday and turned in his letter of resignation at 3 p.m. to Borough Clerk Susan Caljean. The resignation went into effect at the close of business. Vaughan's resignation would leave Council President Jim Lonergan as the acting mayor. However, Lonergan left for vacation on Wednesday, leaving Councilman Bruce Harris, who beat Vaughan in Tuesday's election, as the longest-serving councilman currently in the borough and the acting mayor until Lonergan returns. Ed DiFiglia, chairman of the Chatham Borough Democratic Committee, said Thursday morning he …

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Letters to the Editor

Former Mayor, Councilman Endorses Vaughan

Joe Marts sent out a mailing to all borough residents.

Editor's note: Former Chatham Borough Mayor and Council Member Joe Marts sent a letter to the residents of Chatham last week endorsing Mayor Nelson Vaughan. A PDF of the mailing may be found to the right, and the full text is included below. Dear friends and neighbors, As a former Mayor and a member of Chatham's fire department for 50+ years, I know that Chatham deserves a Mayor who will be fully committed to working on behalf of our residents. Having served with Mayor Vaughan for three years on the Chatham Borough Council and having known him as a caring father and upstanding Boy Scout Troop Chairman, I have long admired his tireless work ethic and commitment to our community. Though I am a Republican, it is my pleasure to put aside …

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Letters to the Editor

Resident: Vaughan to be Applauded for Veto

Chatham Borough resident says the veto protected the borough from litigation.

To the Editor Re: Mayor Vaughan’s Actions Concerning Borough Sign Ordinance The recent disagreement between Mayor Vaughan and Borough Council members about the constitutionality of the sign ordinance is a good demonstration of Mayor Vaughan’s responsiveness to Borough residents. In vetoing the ordinance Mayor Vaughan responded to public information in a way that protects the borough from lawsuits and recognizes individual self-expression. It is another example of why he deserves to continue as mayor of Chatham Borough. From a reading of Borough Planning Board and Council minutes these facts are evident: The facts make clear that notwithstanding the Planning Board attorney’s conflicting comments about the sign ordinance revisions, little if…

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Poll: When is the Earliest Snowfall You Remember?

Late October snowfall predicted to land between 5 and 8 inches.

The Chatham Borough Farmers Market closed early Saturday due to the heavy snow and light crowds, and the leaves are not even off the trees yet. The first major snowstorm in 2010 did not occur until after Christmas. This year, winter seems to be getting a head start. According to Chatham Borough Mayor Nelson Vaughan, 11 plows and salt trucks are out around town. One electrical wire is "sagging" on Hedges Avenue and could potentially come down, according to Vaughan, and JCP&L is on the way. Judy-Ann Hargrove reported a power outage at Hillside Avenue near Yale Street. Township DPW Director John Pacelli said there is between 3 to 4 inches of snow so far, and another possible 5 to 8 Saturday evening. Salting trucks are deployed, and "as soon …

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Letters to the Editor

Resident: Vaughan an 'Effective, Available' Mayor

A Democrat mayor with an all-Republican committee prevents one-party rule, one resident says.

To the Editor: As we prepare to go to the polls on November 8, I am writing to urge my neighbors to re-elect Nelson Vaughan as our mayor in Chatham Borough.  Nelson has served as an effective and available mayor in his first term. He is interested in hearing from everyone, and in helping citizens of our town work together  to achieve community goals. Some cases in point: the Memorial Pool renovation, the 9-11 Memorial (built and maintained without taxpayer funding), the Green Initiative Advisory Committee and the Business Improvement Advisory Committee. During his term, our communities were hit hard by the recession, but Mayor Vaughan worked with our Council and neighboring communities to reduce costs by sharing services, such as the Joint…

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Letters to the Editor

Former Summit Councilwoman Endorses Vaughan

Ellen Dickson says she's worked with Mayor Nelson Vaughan for several years.

Dear Editor, I am a Republican Councilwoman in Summit and former Council President. During my two terms in office, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Chatham Borough Mayor Nelson Vaughn on various shared services, starting with shared vehicles and equipment for our Department of Public Works and more recently on creating a walking trail on both sides of the Passaic. I have been impressed with his tireless work ethic and his ability to work well with me and other members of the Summit Council. The fact we belong to different political parties has been irrelevant. More over, I have come to know him as a capable mayor, an outspoken advocate for Chatham and a man of upstanding character. I support his reelection and I would …

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Elections 2011: November

VIDEO: Vaughan Wants Continued Service in Borough

Nelson Vaughan seeks a second term as mayor of Chatham Borough.

Chatham Borough Mayor Nelson Vaughan seeks a second term as mayor this November. Chatham Patch caught up with him to ask about his past accomplishments in office and his thoughts on the borough's future. Vaughan is running as a Democrat against Bruce Harris, a Republican and three-term member of the Chatham Borough Council. For more information, see his campaign website.

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