TOWN TALK by Ronald Dancer: In the wake of tragedy, township assists rescue efforts.
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In the wake of our national tragedy, Plumsted Township responded to the New York City rescue effort. Plumsted’s finest, our men in blue from the Police Department, were on the scene at ground zero. Lt. George Titko and Sgt. Robert Pintye, with his search and rescue dog, Max, assisted in the rescue.
Our emergency management coordinator, Linda Salcfus, was on duty at our Emergency Operations Center and, with 20 square miles of our township in the Military Reservation Area, we remain vigilant as the armed services are at the highest (Delta) alert level. Our emergency council member, Deborah Burke, was prepared to take her search and rescue dog to New York City.
Citizens are not only responding with supplies and blood donations to the Red Cross, but also participating in reverent observances. Our school auditorium was filled for an impromptu prayer service vigil on the evening of the Sept. 11 attack. Neighborhood and porch side candle light prayer vigils were observed throughout our community. We see our flag, that Star Spangled Banner, flying from sea to shining sea because that’s the way it ought to be.
Our president has declared this a time of national prayer and remembrance. We turn to God in prayer and some ask, why. From a personal perspective, I believe the Holy Scriptures that in the beginning all that God created was good. It was not until man sinned that evil entered God’s creation. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift and it is the enemy, Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy, not God.
These terrorist acts are the work of evil men, not God. As a school boy, I can remember praying the Lord’s Prayer in the New Egypt School. I prayed for the Lord’s Kingdom to come and for His Will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Obviously, we need to continue praying for the Lord to come and His Will be done. Be ready for His return.
As President Bush said, we have an enemy we cannot see. Satan is also an unseen enemy whose results of destruction we do see. Yet, we are one nation under God. We are a nation of justice; and justice will not sleep. Our national motto’s are, "In God We Trust" and "United We Stand." In our resolve to punish the evil doers of terrorism, we have both a cool head and warm heart that elevates America to a higher standard of justice.
Righteousness exalts a nation and God Blesses America for it.
Ronald Dancer is the mayor of Plumsted Township.

