ARTICLE: Let's Connect Our Community

By Chase Padusniak  |  Published in the Union County Hawk, September 19, 2024

In Garwood, we are blessed—blessed to live in a small, tight-knit community. Having lived here my entire life, I have watched generations of residents offer their time, energy, and effort in building a better town for every Garwoodian. Our school board, recreation program, Garwood Rocks—all these rely on the kindness, sacrifice, and commitment of our neighbors and friends. This is why I’m running for Borough Council. Inspired by those who have come before, I want to participate in that legacy of engagement and connection. Our small town only has a big heart because of how much our residents love and cherish it.

That’s why my running mate and I are putting community at the center of our campaign. We want to build an advisory group of community stakeholders like business owners, first responders, and school administrators to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. This group of stakeholders will allow our Borough to get a deeper understanding of what’s happening in various groups within our town and allow us to better address any concerns.

Building on my work with the Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture, I am dedicated to bringing our community together through more artistic and cultural programming. Last spring, my wife, Gabby Blevins, led a nature workshop for the town’s children; she’s planning to do the same this fall. What connects us more than our children?  They are the future of our borough.

And just as our cultural events should connect us to the future, they ought to direct our attention to the past, where we come from. That’s why GPAC sponsored a Garwood 9/11 memorial event, featuring poetry, recollections, and the presentation of a gift to our valiant volunteer fire squad. 

I am new to running for office, but I am not new to this town. I have known it since the day I was born. What I offer is my commitment—my commitment to connecting our beautiful community, building toward a better future on the firm foundation of our proud past. That’s why I am seeking to be your Councilman and requesting your support for my running mate, Sean Keagan Foley, and me this coming November. We’ll be Column A on your ballot. It would be my honor to work with you in connecting our community and building a better tomorrow.