Debra Johnson, Monmouth Junction
I was very impressed with the many wonderful programs that occurred all through the country to acknowledge 9/11 and to illustrate as a nation that we have not forgotten what happened to us that day. I was mayor in South Brunswick on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001; it was extraordinary how well we as a community handled the nightmare that was 9/11.
We were directly painfully effected as a community and we also felt the collective sorrow of the nation. Yet though we host a very diverse religious, ethnic and racial population we did not turn on each other, we instead supported one another as a community.
I can only congratulate our community leaders who this past Saturday, during various community activities held a moment of silence to recognize the sacrifices of so many, including our first responders, heroic citizens, and officers, who risked and many who lost their lives to save others. I was informed that a moment of silence was held before the soccer club soccer games and I believe such moments where held privately throughout the town.
I am sorry though that the township municipal government itself did not appear to recognize the day. The mayor and council could have held a ceremony by the fountain, and a publicized moment of silence, this would not have cost much, but would have been invaluable.
Putting this election and politics aside, it is clear something was needed from the municipal government. If they held something it was very poorly advertised, many of us were looking for an opportunity to stand together as a community.
Regardless, hats off to those of us who had the opportunity to recognize the unique moment in our history that was 9/11, a moment when we came together against all those that would harm us, but not against each other.
Debra Johnson
Monmouth Junction
Ms. Johnson is an independent candidate for mayor.

