Iwould like to respond to a letter to the editor from John Suttles (“Speakers Should Show a Little Respect at Jackson Council Meetings,” Tri-Town News, May 7, 2009).
Thank you, John, for your letter, opinion, and your claimed intention to educate residents on public meetings. Being an objective individual I can appreciate views from many sides even when we may not share the same one.
Respectfully, if you have been paying attention to what goes on in these public meetings, you would then know what my message was about.
I am sure if you asked any Township Council or Planning Board member about me they would have good things to say, especially my high sense of respect for others; certainly nobody would call me a “bully,” as you put it.
I will admit, however, on April 28, although I remained respectful, I was a bit stern. Questions have been asked meeting after meeting and yet answers are not being provided.
Yes, we may receive answers we don’t like at times, but we should at least be provided with an answer. How long does one have to ask before demanding?
With regard to our elected officials being able to “walk and chew gum at the same time,” I am not willing to comment on that, especially since you are an alternate on the zoning board for Jackson.
I have observed during many council meetings that members are not always taking notes; they are text messaging, rolling their eyes, etc. I take plenty of notes myself during every meeting and yet I can still hear what members and residents have to say.
Eye contact is not a requirement, but while I am standing at the microphone and can see a member clearly ignoring me (and others on numerous occasions), it is rude.
Had that individual really been taking notes, he/she would have heard me call their name a few
times. It’s pretty sad when another council member feels the need to physically touch the ignoring member as to bring their attention to the matter. Mr. Suttles, you are 100 percent correct when you stated I may be up to the microphone
for my own personal agenda. I have become very involved in both the council and the Planning Board meetings.
If the current challenges taking place in this town are not part of your personal agenda, perhaps this may be a time of personal reflection and to question your own presence in these meetings.
These issues are important, and not only do I fight for the better of this town, I also try to fight for other residents that have been pushed aside during these meetings and may not have the courage to stand up for what they believe in.
You made a comment about “embarrassing our elected officials.” Should there be any feelings of embarrassment, it is due to the individual’s conscience about his/her lack with regard to decisions they have (have not) made.
Perhaps residents like me and others are finally placing some accountability on the individuals responsible for many of the difficult challenges this town is now facing. Embarrassing is the job that has not been done, and therefore they should feel ashamed or disappointed.
I hope members of the council are more objective than what you are appearing to be, since you feel legitimate issues discussed at the dais are only by what you see fit as legitimate.
Whether talking about questions not being answered, someone’s driveway, CCT TV security systems, COAH, or a basic update, each item is important to somebody and therefore it should be heard.
Considering you are an active member of the zoning board, I would hope that you listen to all items brought forward to your meetings objectively; it does, however, make me wonder how you pick and choose what is a legitimate item to discuss.
These “public servants,” as you called them, on the Township Council are being paid a salary from the taxes you, I, and every other Jackson resident pays.
Therefore it is actually their job to listen to the items discussed at the microphone whether it comes across to you, or them, as a concern or “rant,” as you put it.
I basically pay admission to come to these meetings in my property taxes; the least a council member can do is pay attention to those taking the time to be involved. I am sure you have spoken at the microphone about something not so interesting to the next; however, it is your turn to talk, as it should be.
Perhaps you and others feel threatened by my strong and constant desire to follow the real issues and that I voice them clearly for everyone to hear, and always with a “please” and “thank you.”
I have said many times to different members on different boards that I did not get involved to make friends; however, should I collect some on the way, I am grateful and blessed, but I remain steadfast on doing what it takes to move this town in the best direction, the direction intended before the political vote mattered.
When you have done good, I publicly commend, when you have done not so good, I publicly voice, both regardless of whom I am friends with.
We need some new faces to help make this town right, and I think it is obvious others are fearful of that realization. Maybe your letter to the editor has its own personal agenda (or the agenda of a political friend). In either case, thank you for your opinion; it is yours and equally important.
Kimberly Lum
Jackson