<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: 0in"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Dear Town Talk Readers:</font></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: 0in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The recent discussion regarding the College Park signage on Route 1, and the lack of Town reactions/involvement i.e., letters to the editor, prompted me to research my files for the three plus years I served as Editor of the Riverdale Park Town Crier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Early in my tenure, I posted an invitation for Town residents to offer compliments and/or complaints to the Crier [see the following text from February 06].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“If you would like to compliment someone or something, likewise, complain about someone or something, limit your comments to 80 words or less and send it to “Compliments and Compliments”, c/o the Crier Editor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your submission must be signed and include a day-time phone number for verification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We reserve the right to edit letters. Space and good taste prevent the Crier from publishing every item we receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>People who want more comprehensive comments should sign their letter and send them to “Letter to the Crier Editor”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With exception of public officials and public issues, we will not publish the names of businesses or people in “complaints”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is to protect the complainer and the Crier as both could be held liable.”</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: 0in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">During my entire time as editor, I received one compliment regarding our Public Works Department, and one complaint regarding cars running stop signs and the excessive speed on East West Highway; both were published in the March 06 edition. I also received two Letters to the Editor during that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One was from Rob Oppenheim complimenting S&J’s and the implementation of “Smoke Free PG” in the January 15, 2006; and one from Audrey Bragg complaining that the RPBA was not mentioned in an article about Home Town Heroes in the October 2008 edition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even though there was not a plethora of letters to the editor, I felt assured that residents were reading the Crier, because I often heard comments about various editions from residents when meeting them in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I assume that most people are often to busy to write to the editor and do not do so unless moved strongly by a certain issue; either for or against. </font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: 0in"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">I think that Town Talk is an excellent vehicle for sharing opinions and information and I like Kathy G’s analogy of the Town Square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But like Novella and others, I too am concerned with the hostile remarks of a few concerning our Town officials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are fortunate to have dedicated public servants who work for next to nothing in ensuring that our Town is well represented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let’s keep the discourse going but with a modicum of respect for our public servants. </font></p>
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