The local election is over and it is time for us all to come back to working together to deal with the issues we face as a town.
As a small and special town, Roosevelt has rarely been a direct reflection of the current national culture of divisiveness. That is one of the things that has made it special.
Having been a resident on and off for almost 60 years and having been raised on Roosevelt lore, I cannot deny that, since its’ founding, Roosevelt has seen strong and sometimes boisterous disagreements. Whether they are town issues of gray water, feral cats, water tower replacement, utilities issues, yeshiva litigation, or parking regulations, or they are school issues involving budgets, all day kindergarten, or K-6 vs K-8, we have had our share of disputes. However, we have usually been able to remain civil and respectful as friends and neighbors, often during and almost always after our disagreements have run their course.
For whatever reason, the issue of emergency services has created a level of personal and public incivility, animosity, accusation, exaggeration, and vindictiveness previously unseen in my memory. Longtime friendships have dissolved.
As my mother is fond of reminding me, and as I have found to be true time and again, your opponent in today’s issue is your ally in the next issue. Every person in this small town is your neighbor. Every person on the Council, Planning Board, School Board, Environmental Commission, First Aid Squad, Fire Department and other Borough boards, commissions, and organizations is a volunteer doing what they believe is best for our small borough.
Obviously, our emergency services volunteers help us at all hours. However, many of us, as town residents, do not realize that some of our volunteers maintain full time jobs elsewhere and that some of our employees work long after office hours. These volunteers and employees often respond to town and residents’ needs throughout the weekend and in the middle of the night, whether as a result of leaking pipes, power outages, broken generators, road issues, or lost dogs. It is no surprise that many of us call on our volunteers and employees for assistance at all hours. What is surprising is that, unlike in many other towns, our folks pick up the phone or read the email and respond.
It is time for us all to be steadfast in our belief that our friends and neighbors, whether they be volunteers, employees or other residents of Roosevelt, are honest people in pursuit of what is best for the town unless and until proven otherwise. It is time for all of us to return to respect and civility, both in our meetings and in everyday life. Thank you.
As a small and special town, Roosevelt has rarely been a direct reflection of the current national culture of divisiveness. That is one of the things that has made it special.
Having been a resident on and off for almost 60 years and having been raised on Roosevelt lore, I cannot deny that, since its’ founding, Roosevelt has seen strong and sometimes boisterous disagreements. Whether they are town issues of gray water, feral cats, water tower replacement, utilities issues, yeshiva litigation, or parking regulations, or they are school issues involving budgets, all day kindergarten, or K-6 vs K-8, we have had our share of disputes. However, we have usually been able to remain civil and respectful as friends and neighbors, often during and almost always after our disagreements have run their course.
For whatever reason, the issue of emergency services has created a level of personal and public incivility, animosity, accusation, exaggeration, and vindictiveness previously unseen in my memory. Longtime friendships have dissolved.
As my mother is fond of reminding me, and as I have found to be true time and again, your opponent in today’s issue is your ally in the next issue. Every person in this small town is your neighbor. Every person on the Council, Planning Board, School Board, Environmental Commission, First Aid Squad, Fire Department and other Borough boards, commissions, and organizations is a volunteer doing what they believe is best for our small borough.
Obviously, our emergency services volunteers help us at all hours. However, many of us, as town residents, do not realize that some of our volunteers maintain full time jobs elsewhere and that some of our employees work long after office hours. These volunteers and employees often respond to town and residents’ needs throughout the weekend and in the middle of the night, whether as a result of leaking pipes, power outages, broken generators, road issues, or lost dogs. It is no surprise that many of us call on our volunteers and employees for assistance at all hours. What is surprising is that, unlike in many other towns, our folks pick up the phone or read the email and respond.
It is time for us all to be steadfast in our belief that our friends and neighbors, whether they be volunteers, employees or other residents of Roosevelt, are honest people in pursuit of what is best for the town unless and until proven otherwise. It is time for all of us to return to respect and civility, both in our meetings and in everyday life. Thank you.