Ridgewood’s civility issues should be resolved where they occur
January 30, 2015 Last updated: Friday, January 30, 2015, 9:39 AM
The Ridgewood News
Resolve civility issues where they occur
Linda McNamara
Ridgewood
To the Editor:
After reading the article on civility (“Panelists seeking to define civility,” Jan. 23, page A1), I had a very uncivil reaction. I wanted to rant and rave!
There are dozens of definitions for the word civility: 1) formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech. 2) polite remarks used in formal conversation to name just two. What has happened in Ridgewood that requires several meetings to discuss this and to what end? I rarely see poor behavior although it does occur. It might be more important to discuss what provokes poor behavior?
I have asked several people what would cause you to express yourself in a way that might be perceived as inappropriate? Some responses included not being listened to, treated in a dismissive manner, anything relating to improper treatment of their children and unresolved issues relating to service at any level.
The only thing we as individuals can do is monitor our own personal behavior. Elected officials, village employees, committee heads and coaches need to use patience when dealing with the public and follow meeting guidelines erring on the side of more openness and transparency than less.
AT last week’s council meeting, some official at the microphone suggested that Ridgewood change parking meters to take payment until eight p.m. because most restaurant customers come from out of town.
Talk about vulgar greedy materialism. Talk about civility and loving your neighbor. Talk about having a moment of silence to honor those in the military. And what if a soldier back from Iraq came to Ridgewood from “out of town” to celebrate his homecoming, with not much money to spare,, and was surprised by the eight o’clock extra payment to meters.
What that official suggested is the heart and soul of Paul Aronsohn; , Roberta Sonenfeld and company. They care more about money than people. Now, is that the “new norm” in civility.
The icing on the cake was that no council person replied that that suggestion of changing meters to eight o’clock was unacceptable. was unkind.
They must have loved the idea. My response; if they do that I will never frequent the downtown again.