On Friday, June 22, the Madison Republican Committee hosted a "Meet and Greet" fundraiser for Kathy Dailey and Mark Chiarolanza, the two Republican candidates running for Madison Borough Council in 2018. Kathy and Mark announced their candidacy in April and ran unopposed in the June Primary election. Friday's event, which took place at the landmark Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps building, marked the start of the candidates' campaign leading to the General election.
Republican supporters of all ages and from every District in Madison attended the event, along with several guests from neighboring towns. Also joining the celebration was Jay Webber, Republican candidate for Congress (NJ-11). Other Morris County Republican leaders enjoying the camaraderie included Stephanie Sharratt, Recording Secretary for the Morris County Republican Committee; Mary Anna Holden, past Mayor and Councilwoman of Madison; and Madison Borough Councilman Pat Rowe.
The bright summer evening brought a crowd to hear the candidates' thoughts on issues facing the borough. Kathy and Mark discussed several pressing Madison issues and fielded questions from attendees. Topics of conversation included the protection of Madison's property values; local traffic congestion; the pace of land development; security of public resources, spaces and events; and maintenance of Madison's infrastructure.
With his characteristic good cheer, candidate Mark Chiarolanza thanked attendees for their support and shared his motivations for running for council. Mark, whose family has lived in Madison for a century or more, talked about his commitment to the borough. "I've spent my career in public service," he explained. "It's work that I truly enjoy, and with your support, I'm ready to serve Madison."
Candidate Kathy Dailey commented on attendees' concerns that Madison seems to have become a Morris County target for implementing the national Democrats' political agenda. Kathy agreed, "It started with the sanctuary city movement in winter of 2017 when the Borough Council adopted the Welcoming Community Resolution - that was an agenda pushed primarily by politicians and interest groups from outside of Madison. Given our mayor's and council members' cozy relationship with New Jersey's new governor Phil Murphy, we need to expect more of the same. With a 5-1 Democratic majority on our Borough Council, our lone Republican Councilman's vote cannot effectively counter any initiative that the democratic majority wants to advance. " She continued, "I believe our local government should focus on Madison's issues - like our ever-increasing traffic congestion. Our Borough Council should not spend its time promoting contentious national political initiatives."
Warmly welcomed by the Madison crowd, Assemblyman Webber also shared his hopes for New Jersey and our country, and he expressed his support for Kathy and Mark.
