<i>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.<br><br></i><font style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Mr. Holmes - I think you took the comments of Councilman Ebbeler in an entirely different way than they were intended. When he wrote "<span style="color:rgb(0,0,64)">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," </span></font>I don't believe he was in any way telling you to refrain from posting opinions to this forum. <i>Au contraire.</i> I think he was applauding your civic engagement, and wishing for more. <br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>Dwight<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 10:28 AM, James D. Holmes <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jdholmes@comcast.net" target="_blank">jdholmes@comcast.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
Mr. Ebbeler<br>
<br>
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)<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
J. Holmes<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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