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<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> On Thu, 7 Dec 2006 09:24:19 -0800 (PST), Jennifer Gerwig wrote:</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> >Do the opinions voiced [on this email list] carry any weight when gauging </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> >public opinion re: town legislation and direction?</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Well, they do with me. I view these emails as written, public statements </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> that have significant impact. I think some other CM do as well, but not all. </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Most but not all council members are subscribed to this list.</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Indeed, </FONT><b><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> email is one of the best ways of letting me know your position</FONT></b><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> and concerns, either by posting to this list, or by directly emailing me. </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Calling me works too, although I actually prefer emails. </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><b><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> In general, the council is swayed much more by those who speak </FONT></b></div>
<div><b><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> at a meeting than by these emails.</FONT></b></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> CM Donaldson has occasionally indicated that she values personal </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> verbal communication over TownTalk emails. Its good that she makes </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> it clear how constituents can best communicate with her.</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> I respect CM Donaldson's dedication and hard work on behalf of our town. </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> She takes her job as financial chair very seriously and pours over every </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> dollar spent. </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Mary Donaldson is undergoing hip surgery today (Fri 12/8/06). Please join </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> me in wishing her a full and quick recovery.</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> -Rob Oppenheim</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Ward One Councilman, Riverdale Park</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> 5902 Cleveland Ave</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Riverdale Park, Md 20737-1930</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Home Office: 301 779 1745</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT></div>
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