OLD BRIDGE, NJ – A township board member abruptly stepped down from all her public posts after a heated Facebook exchange about affordable housing sparked outrage across the community.
Doreen Chevalier resigned from Old Bridge’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, Environmental Commission, and Open Space Committee after a public argument with resident Rachel Denney went viral online.
The controversy erupted after Denney posted about the challenges of finding affordable housing for her family on a $6,000 monthly income.
Facebook comments ignite backlash
Chevalier replied to Denney’s post, writing that she “shouldn’t have had 5 children” and should have “used birth control like anyone else who knew how to budget.” Denney, who later clarified she has three children, said the remarks were both inaccurate and insulting.
Chevalier also told Denney she could move to Trenton or other towns with lower rents, a comment that drew immediate criticism from residents who accused her of being insensitive and unprofessional.
Screenshots of the exchange circulated rapidly on local community pages, prompting dozens of calls for Chevalier’s removal from her appointed township positions.
Township acts swiftly after viral post
Mayor Debbie Walker issued a statement confirming that she and the Township Council “acted immediately” to obtain Chevalier’s resignation once the comments surfaced. Walker described the remarks as “inappropriate” and “not reflective of the values of Old Bridge.”
Denney later shared that the mayor reached out to her personally to apologize for the incident and to offer assistance in her search for affordable housing.
Walker also connected Denney with Rosemarie Rivoli, coordinator of the Old Bridge Municipal Alliance, to help her explore local housing resources.
Resident thanks officials for quick response
“I’m extremely grateful for the quick action and their compassion,” Denney wrote in a follow-up post. “I truly appreciate that they took this situation seriously.”
Denney’s original Facebook post had described the difficulty of affording housing in Old Bridge despite earning a steady income. “Before people complain about affordable housing being built, please think about how many families are barely holding on,” she wrote.
Town officials have not commented further on whether Chevalier will face additional consequences beyond her resignations.
The resignation followed a Facebook exchange that drew widespread criticism and prompted immediate action from Old Bridge officials.