Townsend

Meet the incoming Council members on 05/24/2023 during the Town Council Special Meeting. 

To see more details for the Town Council Special Meeting click “HERE“

The following are the biographies for the three incoming Council members: 

Dr. Joseph J. Bangura

Dr. Joseph J. Bangura is Visiting Professor in the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy at Delaware State University, where he teaches African, African American and World History. Dr. Bangura is the author and co-editor of three books and several peer reviewed scholarly articles in prestigious academic journals. Dr. Bangura is the founding editor of the book series, Anthem Advances in African Cultural Studies: http://www.anthempress.com/anthem-advances-in-african-cultural-studies. He is also the Associate Editor (Africa) for the Journal of Global South Studies: https://journals.upress.ufl.edu/jgss. He has provided consultancy work for the United States Army Directed Studies Office and has co-convened three National and International conferences on the Ebola Epidemic, African Diaspora Connections and Religious Identities in Africa and in the African Diaspora. His research interests include Social, Urban and Intellectual History, State Governance and Security in the Global South. He has taught courses on Gender Relations in Africa, Islam in Africa, African Christianity, and Globalization among others.

Dr. Bangura’s goals for the Townsend Town Council are two-fold. First, to help formulate and implement policies that will foster economic development and growth for the Town of Townsend. Second, to develop and promote innovative ideas that will enhance the sociopolitical profile of the Town of Townsend in diverse and efficient ways.

Dr. Bangura has been a resident of Townsend since June 3, 2021.

Marcus W. Suhr

Marcus W. Suhr was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and came to the East Coast as a teenager, finishing high school in Rising Sun Maryland. After college at the University of Maryland, Mr. Suhr became a resident of Delaware around the year 2001. He has been a resident of Townsend since 2018. Mr. Suhr works out of Wilmington for Amtrak since 2016.

One of Mr. Suhr’s goals, as a member of the Town Council, is to help provide stability and oversight for our growing community. As a safety professional by trade, he brings a risk management mindset to the work.  Mr. Suhr is excited to become involved. He is also passionate about Veterans’ issues, safety and security, mental health, the Bill of Rights, and service organizations.

Matthew W. Chapman

Matthew W. Chapman, served 10 years in the US Navy Submarine Force as a Nuclear Reactor Operator. Currently, he is a Senior Reactor Operator for a Nuclear Utility and has been licensed for five years.  Mr. Chapman states he is a father of two wonderful children and is a husband to his supportive wife. His goal on the Town Council is to learn and develop in the role.  For his first time ever serving as a Council member, Mr. Chapman seeks to get involved with the community and find ways to improve our Town. He has lived in Townsend for almost five years.