Dismay expressed

Marcy Schwartz and Richard Shain, Bordentown
   We feel the need to express our disappointment and dismay regarding Mayor Lynch’s decision to not reappoint Mike Hunninghake as chair of the Environmental Commission. This offers the opportunity to chime in to thank and congratulate Mike for all he has done over the past nine years to better our community. It is rare to meet someone who is able to benefit an entire community this much.
   I would like to add that your activism and concrete improvements have had a profound effect on the next generation. As parents of teenagers, we are profoundly grateful for the educational experience you have offered our children. Our daughters not only relished the opportunity to help with community cleanups, trail blazing, and shopping at our own farmer’s market, but learned enormously about community organizing, grant writing, urban planning, brown zones, and many other issues from observing your work on the commission. They’ve seen not only the successes and the joys, but also the challenges and frustrations, of these lofty ideals. In fact, one of our daughters is an urban studies major at college now, and the other has a job off campus doing sustainability outreach education for a local urban farm in Minneapolis. So thanks to you, your programming, planning and generous welcoming to all, the next generation is taking steps that will hopefully continue the example you have set.
   I hope that Mike and his fellow commission members are able to take pride in the progress made, recognize the fruits of your labors and see how far we’ve come. It’s been an honor to be just a little part of all the good that you have generated, and so effectively and productively. It is now our challenge to carry on the important work you inspired us all to participate in.
   We hope that in the future, appointments to the commission will recognize rather than disregard this kind of outstanding leadership and record of accomplishment.