[RP TownTalk] RP TownTalk Form

Tue Jan 8 16:22:47 UTC 2013

*Although I am the moderator for this list, I am writing here simply in my
role as resident and taxpayer of the town, not in my role as moderator.

*Mr. Holmes - I think you took the comments of Councilman Ebbeler in an
entirely different way than they were intended.  When he wrote "If you
believe the town is on the wrong path, come to meetings, voice your opinion
in a forum other than this, ask to be appointed onto committees, volunteer
to mentor the youth, or even run for office," I don't believe he was in any
way telling you to refrain from posting opinions to this forum. *Au
contraire.*  I think he was applauding your civic engagement, and wishing
for more.

Truth be told this list has become deadly quiet in the last few years.  I
surely would hope no one would discourage serious discussion here - and I
for one am happy you brought up the topic of the new assessments (ours was
sitting in a pile of mail until you brought it to my attention!).  And I
don't think Councilman Ebbeler was meaning to discourage you or anyone from
posting - and I certainly don't see where he said or implied that you don't
care about the town!  That you do care is quite obvious from all that you
have said.

Dwight

On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 10:28 AM, James D. Holmes <jdholmes at comcast.net>wrote:

>  Mr. Ebbeler
>
> I thought the intended use of the RP TownTalk blog was to encourage the
> residents of Riverdale Park to discuss current issues.  I have listed the
> rules that I agreed to when I signed up to participate on the blog.  I
> believe that I am in conformance (see below rules for the RP TownTalk Blog)
>
> The comment you made that I should only address these issues at a Town
> meeting and not on the RP TownTalk blog appears that you do not want input
> from other residents that have the same opinion that I have.  Not all
> Riverdale Park residence can run for office or attend town meetings.  I
> work for a local government agency and I am prohibited from holding an
> elected office in this State.  I also work when most of the meetings are
> scheduled and can not attend.  I have been a resident/property owner of
> Riverdale Park for approximately 35 years, I have done my share of
> volunteering in the past.  My wife served as the Chief Election Judge for
> numerous years.  I have had ties in this community for over 50 years and
> the message that I don't care about the Town is absurd.
>
> By the way, if I had taken off work last night to attend the Town meeting,
> I would not have had the opportunity to talk directly to you. You and two
> other council members were absent.
>
>
> J. Holmes
>
>
>
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