Letter: Jane Staats Thanks Voters For Support

To the editor:

First of all, I would like to congratulate Gloria McCauley and Doug Tomson for retaining their seats on the Hillsborough Township Committee. I wish them luck in serving all of the residents of Hillsborough.

I would also like to thank the many volunteers who helped with our campaign. From the seasoned veterans to the rookies who stepped – no, leapt! – out of their comfort zones, they contributed so much of their time, efforts and talents.

I appreciate all of the support that family, friends and even strangers gave to our campaign. My husband and son in particular provided so much encouragement and unseen help.

I am especially grateful to my running mate Harry Burke. His knowledge, expertise, hard work and patience were immense assets to our campaign. I’m fortunate that I can now count him as a good friend, and I expect that Harry will be an excellent public servant.

When I first decided to run for Hillsborough Township Committee, I initially dreaded going door to door. It soon became my favorite part of our campaign. Throughout the many different neighborhoods and geography of Hillsborough, I met wonderful people (and quite a few brazen deer). So many residents spent time out of their busy days listening and talking to me – about the issues regarding Hillsborough and our
country, their personal concerns and the occasional humorous story. These conversations, including those with residents who politely disagreed with me, were sources of enlightenment and information. Everyone was so considerate and kind; some invited me in to enjoy their air conditioning on a hot day or a cup of tea on a cool day.

And while a few people did not answer their doors, I cannot begrudge them doing that – I ruefully admit that I myself have done the same in the past! Meeting so many residents has made me appreciate Hillsborough’s diversity and love it even more.

I intend to continue serving Hillsborough. I will continue to volunteer at my church and with the local theatres, and I intend to address my concerns about drug and alcohol abuse through my participation with the Hillsborough/Millstone Municipal Alliance.

I invite everyone to serve Hillsborough. This town is made up of compassionate, hard-working, and talented people. Become an engaged and informed member of our community by attending Township events, Board of Education meetings, Township Committee meetings, and/or one of the many meetings of the boards and commissions.

Apply to become a member of one of those boards or commissions. Volunteer through your house of worship or the many other organizations in our town and county. If nothing else, I urge everyone to tap into their innate sense of empathy. Try – try hard – to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, someone different from yourself, someone going through a more difficult time.

Listen – respectfully – to opposing points of view. Listen not with the purpose to try to change their mind, but with the intent to broaden your own perspective, to at least think to yourself, “I never thought of that.” Then try to engage in a true conversation in which each person acknowledges the legitimacy of the other person’s opinion. All of us, every resident on up to township officials, can profit from such behavior.

Jane M. Staats
Hillsborough, NJ