Are Town Memorials Bringing Less Unity and More Political Fray?

This past Tenth Anniversary of 9-11 was a close date to election season and Hopatcong's uncontested Mayoral and Council race for November. I can’t help but feel that with every public ceremonial appearance by our incumbents there isn’t some political posturing that’s taking place. I guess I am a bit of a skeptic on the stateliness of our government politicians even our local ones. So, after all the heartfelt emotions of that day, let me now point out some of the not so very praiseworthy moments.

I observed that Madeline McManus was not seating with the other council members.  Instead, Madeline was standing in the back with the CERT group. It made me feel that we had lost the unity we had 10 years ago when we gathered together as Americans and political disparity seemed nonexistent for that brief time in history.  It seems are Government from the local to national level is in a bipartisan temper.  Don’t know the circumstances that separated the group whether by choice or by instruction, but only know I did not see the unity that once existed. 

Madeline has been an advocate for open public meetings.  She has been vocal against the Mayor and Council on closed door sessions especially during the budget discussions. Here was what was published in the NJ Herald- http://www.njherald.com/printerfriendly/08Hopatcong-budget -

The Mayor and Council have but a few months to confer with someone who has become the questioning and nonconformist voice at the Council table. Her term in office will soon expire and she is not seeking another term.

Ten years ago there was less political cherry picking of speakers for these ceremonies. Ten years ago the DPW was not a very politically charged matter in our town. Since 2009 it remains a sore point to some with continued vocal
opposition to the garbage collection policy and administration that was executed by our Mayor. The privatization of our garbage collection provoked some to petition for a Mayoral recall. http://www.njherald.com/printerfriendly/22HOPATRECALL-web

Choosing the Department of Public Works Superintendent Ron Jobless as the key speaker appeared to have a posed campaign direction. I think sincerity on the nature of this event would be to have fewer speakers connected to municipal office management giving a commemorative speech. This would make everyone feel more inclusive and remove any political inference of using the event to showcase and apple polish the current municipal administration.

So, where people appeared at this ceremony and choice of guest speakers had me thinking how 9-11 Ceremonies have perhaps become political management events. However, I was not alone in this thought. I heard about nearby Washington Township in Warren County removing a 9-11 monument marker. They had a stone marker to commemorate the 10th anniversary alongside the salvaged beam from Ground Zero. It caused uproar because what were etched in stone were the names of the mayor and other local officials and nothing else. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/911-Memorial-Removed-Washington-Township-Inscription.html

Fortunately, Hopatcong’s event platform was not as deliberate. Or maybe it is unfortunate that it is not so obvious then it would be easier to point it out. When we have unbalanced expression during these ceremonies it mars the
commemoration. It detracts from its intentions and gives in to quick politics and some partisan opportunism.

The front grounds of the Municipal building have become more solemn with a strong presence of memorial tributes and the desolate remains of this horrific event for remembrance. Gone are some of the trees and evergreens in places that once were decked with festive Holiday adornments. This brings a certain guarantee to me that after the November elections we are well on our way to making things more solemn in a partisan way.