JUNE 12, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
to the Editor:
The mayor continues to hold civility meetings, the purpose of which is unclear. Now it appears a subject of concern is sports conduct on and off the field.
Is this an appropriate topic for the council to be involved in?
I’ve been in town for 39 years and have attended numerous sporting events. On rare occasions there have been a few angry parents and a coach or two who has been asked to leave the field. Is anyone surprised? Nothing except maybe religion and politics gets people more excited than their kids and sports.
It happens at all levels and everywhere. We are not unique. Problems should be addressed when and where they happen. That being within the sports community.
At the last council meeting, the village manager accused a sitting council member of incivility for asking questions regarding the budget and a recent job hiring. It appears that this word is being used to inhibit the political process.
If asking questions, showing displeasure and disagreeing with the powers that be is considered uncivil, then we all need a civics lesson.
Webster’s 1913 definition of civility is: The state of society in which the relations and duties of the citizen are recognized and obeyed. Based on this definition, civility begins at the top and it is the common man who should be treated in a civil manner.
It is not easy to speak out and those that do should not be intimidated by some arbitrary view of what it means to be civil.
Linda McNamara
Ridgewood