Glen Rock Comes to No Decision on Columbus Day vs Indigenous Peoples Day

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock Nj, Glen Rock makes a no decision on Columbus Day vs
Indigenous Peoples Day . Our feeling was that human sacrifices where a big over the top . Here is what we said :
https://theridgewoodblog.net/we-are-all-in-favor-of-indigenous-peoples-day-as-long-as-it-includes-human-sacrifice/

Anyway here is what Mayor Bruce Packer had to say :

“Unfortunately facts often gets lost when heated conversations take place that include any governing body. I’d like to share some facts regarding the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day conversation.
-Most importantly, no decision was made.
-The issue was brought to the table by residents who started sending emails in early to mid-April asking that we consider a change. It was not raised by any members of the governing body as something that should be discussed.
-In my time as Mayor, ANY time I receive emails from residents that warrant a council discussion I add those discussions to our worksession agendas. I add these items with no regard to my personal views on an issue. The purpose of council worksessions is to discuss any and all issues that have been brought to our collective attention. Action may or may not ever be taken on those issues. In this way, it greatly differs from our public meetings. To those who have reached out and said that I should have ignored these emails, I wonder how you’d feel if I ignored a request that was important to you? 
-I copied the council and asked the clerk to include this discussion on our worksession agenda for this past week. ****Neither I, nor any council members, advocated a point of view prior to the discussion that took place publicly at that meeting.****
-The council was split on how to move forward and that split was NOT on a partisan basis. I continue to be proud to be part of a governing body that expresses opinions that are not dictated by anything other than each individual’s honest viewpoint.
-Shortly after the meeting, I started getting press inquiries as did our council members. Reporters started showing up at Borough Hall as well. I chose not to speak to reporters but decided to release a uniform statement to the press due to the large number of inquiries. The most important comment in my press release was that I did not believe that we should make ANY decisions without having a better sense of the will of our residents and I encouraged people to share their point of view.
-We have subsequently received many emails on the matter and the topic will likely be discussed and hopefully concluded at our next worksession. I will make sure it is on the agenda once I know that we can allot the proper amount of time to the discussion.
-When topics like this are discussed locally, it behooves us to freely share our own points of view but stop short of pointing fingers and belittling others who may disagree.”