[RP TownTalk] Special Election 12-10-05

[Jack R. Jones]

Jack R. Jones here:

As has been known for sometime, I announced that I intended to run 
for the Ward 1 Council Seat when Tracey Toscano resigned.

Due to a health problem that has started recently. After some 
considerable testing, with no determination of cause, I have decided 
to drop my candidacy for the council seat special election.

The issue is a vertigo like condition that can debilitate me for a 
day or two at a time. Given the importance of doing the job and doing 
it well; I could not in good conscience run for the office when I 
have no idea when the "vertigo" will onset. Meanwhile I will be 
trying to track down the cause and the cure.

I have known Rob for quite a while from the Citizens for Open 
Government Days and the days that the Town Crier was the Riverdale 
Voice (if memory serves) and an independent newspaper, over the 
years, it has been eroded by every administration in to a smaller 
paper and the loss of the letters to the editor during the Ferguson 
Administration made it merely a voice of the government instead of a 
voice of the people like it had been in the first years. I would like 
to see the Town Crier returned to its original function of being a 
voice of the Citizens of Riverdale.

My experience with Rob over the years has been of one who is 
independent of thought, thorough in his investigation of subject, and 
reasonable in his agreement or opposition. I appreciate his 
considerate explanation of his reasons when we are in disagreement on 
an issue, it is ever so much better than the brush off that is more 
usual in my experience. And very importantly, I feel that it is 
possible to make a reasonable case with him and actually persuade him 
to a different course of action.

He is multi-issued and an independent thinker and for that he has my 
support, for that is what I would try to bring to the office, had I 
run and won. I know that those who supported me in the last election 
are independent thinkers and I would ask you to give this 
independent, Rob Oppenheim, your support as you did me.

Sincerely,
Jack R. Jones




>
>Message: 2
>Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 13:21:18 -0500
>From: Rob Oppenheim <oppenheim at email.com>
>Subject: [RP TownTalk] Ward 1 Special Election set for Dec 10
>To: TownTalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
>Message-ID: <2005118132118.845647 at Rob2>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>From: Rob Oppenheim
>
>Last week, with a heavy heart, I stepped down as Town Crier editor.
>
>This week, with a much happier heart, I follow the tradition of
>announcing here that I am running for the Ward 1 council seat in
>the special election Saturday, December 10, 2005.
>
>I want to thank outgoing Ward 1 Representative Tracey Toscano for
>endorsing my candidacy and for encouraging me to run. It was not
>an easy decision, but in reflecting on the time spent with the Crier,
>I realized how satisfying it is for me to contribute to our community
>in a positive way.
>
>I first served on the Crier 16 years ago as a volunteer under Mayor
>Ann Ferguson. Last April, I returned to serve under Mayor Tiberio,
>and for the past several months I had the pleasure of working with
>Mayor Archer. Working with three different administrations has given
>me perspective and valuable experience and has reinforced my belief
>in the need for thoughtful, fair-minded, open-minded public service.
>
>I am an independent. I will study the issues and vote my conscience.
>When I agree with the mayor or other members of the council, I will
>be a strong supporter. And when I disagree, I will be respectful and
>polite as I put forward a worthy opposition. I will be careful to
>research issues. I will ask Riverdale Park residents for their
>opinions, and I will really listen to what they have to say. I will
>continue the high standard of constituent service that was the
>hallmark of Tracey's tenure.
>
>One important goal will be to see town communications improved
>across the board - not just in the Town Crier but also in the
>town's web site, e-mail lists, and cable television. For example,
>I want to see webcasts of town meetings, and it would be great to
>use the e-mail list to let residents know the schedule for leaf
>pickup, so we can rake those leaves close to the curb before the
>truck comes by instead of just after it has passed.
>
>Another important goal concerns traffic. Too many years, too
>little done, too many speeding cars. I just completed a
>successful campaign to get gentle, traffic-calming speed humps
>approved and funded on Cleveland Avenue. As a council member, I
>will spearhead the effort to calm and control traffic in our ward
>and across our town.
>
>Another important goal is to work to fill those empty stores in
>town center!
>
>You have seen the quality of my work with the Town Crier.
>Now I'd like a chance to perform to the same high standard on the
>council. I want to help make you proud to live in Riverdale Park.
>
>Please vote for me in the special election Saturday, December 10, 2005.
>
>Cheerfully,
>Rob Oppenheim
>
>301-779-1745
>5902 Cleveland Ave., Riverdale Park, Md. 20737-1930
>
>
>End of TownTalk Digest, Vol 4, Issue 3
>**************************************


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