PLATFORM & MISSION
Proactive Leadership. Open Government. Better Outcomes.
Mendham needs forward-thinking leadership, an informed community, and a non-partisan, problem-solving Borough Council to ensure that we preserve our small town ambience and unspoiled nature.
Chris and Mark both have a strong track record of public service experience and business acumen. Their ability to communicate complex issues in an even-handed, understandable, and relatable way will be an asset to the Mendham Borough Council. Democracy hinges and thrives on openness, an educated community, and debate the one party system that has been operating in Mendham Borough has created detrimental opacity. Mendham Borough deserves new voices that will keep the citizens informed.Their platform is:
- Proactive Planning and Leadership: Shift from the present crisis management mode to proactive government. Residents’ concerns will guide our agenda from day one.
- No More Surprise Politics: Transparency will lead to an end to last-minute surprises at council meetings. Residents need advance notice and plain-English education on important issues facing the community and access to relevant information in advance of any Council vote.
- Early Resolution Review/Accessible Information: Mark and Chris pledge to enhance the Borough's website as a true resource for residents. Resolutions posted online with relevant information before council meetings will give residents the chance to review and provide input.
- Stream Council Meetings: we propose that Council Meetings be streamed live and be available to residents for viewing on demand on our Borough Website (via MendhamTV). It's time for a change in our borough's governance. We are committed to transforming the way our Council interacts with the community to ensure accountability and openness in every decision.
It's time for a change in our borough’s governance. We are committed to transforming the way our Council interacts with the community to ensure accountability and openness in every decision.This campaign is about you—your concerns, your aspirations, and your vision for our community's future. We invite you to join us, attend meetings, and share your ideas. Together, we can build a town that works for all of us. But first, we urge you to learn about us and what we can do for you. We also hope you reach out directly to either of us–via email, by phone or via FB message–and share your concerns. If you agree that Mendham needs more proactive, future-thinking, communicative leadership, please be sure to vote for Chris and Mark–and tell your friends and neighbors why this election is important to them too!
FOR MENDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
CHRIS
NEFF
Chris is eager to bring his critical thinking and solution-based skill sets to the Mendham Borough Council. Among his signature issues are ensuring that Borough proceedings are communicated with clarity and transparency to all residents, and the belief that a healthy environment equals a healthy community. Our town can prosper while still protecting our sensitive wildlife for today and tomorrow. We are all here for the same reason, the habitat.
Like most Mendham residents, Chris appreciates the value of Mendham's small town living and natural treasures, and that is why he is running for a seat on the Mendham Borough Council. Known for his wildlife photos and informative nature posts on local social media groups and his environmental and drone lectures, Chris's underlying message is that an informed community makes good decisions and can work together for the greater good of the town. That’s why his mission includes open communication from the mayor and council to ensure the community is aware of town happenings and has access to reliable, up-to-date information.
A marketing and communications professional, Chris has worked for well-known consumer electronics companies and software and sustainable energy startups before taking a leadership role in a leading New Jersey conservation non-profit in 2015. Chris has a longstanding passion for wildlife photography and preserving the natural environment; the shift to a career in conservation has made him even more keenly aware of just how fragile open space and wildlife are in New Jersey and how much they need to be protected.
Chris's ties to Mendham go back to high school, where he attended West Morris Mendham High. After graduating college, he worked and lived in New York City until the late 1990s, when he purchased his family home and returned to Mendham.
FOR MENDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
MARK
VAN DEN HENDE
Mark is running for a seat on the Mendham Borough Council because he understands the importance of preserving the charm of our tight-knit community. He believes that fair and balanced perspectives are crucial to moving forward with the development and upkeep of our beautiful borough.
With his business acumen and proven track record in thought- and team-leadership, Mark will foster teamwork and effective decision-making. His skills include strategy and business development, contract negotiations, and human interpersonal management skills and he has a strong technical knowledge base in government regulatory affairs.
A Mendham resident for the past 16 years, Mark is a proud father of twins and a dedicated poll worker. He comes from a family legacy of public service and is eager to use his business skills and environmental knowledge to serve Mendham Borough. He currently works as a commercial manager at Mitsubishi Power and has over 35 years of experience as a Commercial Manager, Project Manager, and Lead Engineer, providing environmental control systems to the power, industrial, and paper & pulp industries. He has an Engineering degree from Lehigh University and an MBA from Rutgers Business School.
As a parent, Mark is passionate about preserving the close-knit community in Mendham Borough where he and his wife have raised their twins. He is committed to working towards ensuring safe neighborhoods, solid infrastructure, and providing thought leadership to promote the success of families in our community.