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Single mom had no job, no home, but now runs business and serves on Millville council By
Meghan Dinger MILLVILLE -- Jamie Skeen is making her own path. She is a single mother of three children, store manager of Hollywood Video, and now the newest member of the Millville City Council. But she is not just the newest council member. She is the first female council member in the history of Millville. "Two years ago, I was coming out of a marriage with no job and no home," Skeen said. "Now I manage a business and I am an elected official for my town." Skeen was approached in August 2001 by Mayor Gale Hall, a family friend, about two openings on the council. She had lived in Millville for only a year and a half at that point, and although she felt she didn't stand much of a chance she decided to run for election. "I had never considered it, but when Mayor Hall told me about the opening, I thought it would be a good opportunity," she said. "My main motivation was to teach my children to get involved with their community and local government, and to have the courage to try anything" Running against four men for the two open council positions, Skeen said she attended a Meet the Candidates Night in September, conducted her campaign with help from the community, made it by one vote in the primary elections in October and then was elected along with Dave Hair on Nov. 6. "I never thought that this would have happened two years ago," she said. "It is such an honor that these people were willing to give me a chance. It is such a compliment that they trusted me. I want to live up to their expectations and make them proud." Skeen was sworn in to the Millville City Council on Jan. 17, 2002, which was "two years to the exact day that I left my husband. "I am really proud of myself," she said. "I am really confident." So far, she said she has reformed the Miss Millville Pageant, planned the Easter celebration, and stood up for the citizens when she made the highly controversial motion to decline the proposal for a special sewer district. Although Skeen has earned the trust, support, and admiration of many Millville citizens, she said she still hears occasional comments about her status as a female. "It is frustrating because I don't think that my being a woman makes me any less educated, worthy, or credible," she said. "I am a citizen of this city and country. I don't think my being a woman has anything to do with being on the council. Any criticism only makes me more determined." As for her future goals, Skeen said she wants to improve the recreational opportunities in the town, develop a real sense of community to unify everyone, and strengthen the youth council, beginning by planning the Millville Fun Days celebration on June 15. "I am doing this for my kids," she said. "They need a positive role model and I am the person that is shaping them. I want to show them that hard work is important. I also want my daughter to be able to say, 'If my Mom can do this, I can too.'"
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