Maywood

I wish every citizen of Maywood a very happy New Year. The reorganization of Maywood’s Governing Body usually does not take place on New Year’s Day, let alone on a Sunday. But I believe that it was fitting that we started our new administration on the first day of 2012.

The start of a new year is a time of renewal for every individual and a time of renewal for our town. We all know that Maywood is facing many challenges as this year begins. However, our community spirit in Maywood is strong.

Our town is surrounded by some of the busiest highways and largest shopping malls in the nation and we are a mere 10 miles from New York City, yet Maywood remains a small town with a close knit community.

It is the hard work of everyone who volunteers their time to serve Maywood that makes our Borough the special place that it is – be it our fire police and volunteer fire fighters, our special police officers, youth athletic league coaches, ambulance corps or the hundreds of other individuals, committee members, school volunteers and private volunteer organizations that serve our town – volunteerism is the very spirit that will hold our town together and which will enable us to face any challenge.

I look forward to working with the 2012 Council. As I stated during the reorganization meeting, our problems will not be solved by Republicans and they will not be solved by Democrats – they will not be solved by the spread of rumors, anonymous quotes from an online blog, or partisan bickering – our problems will be solved when we all work together for the public good. So I call upon everyone on the Council to maintain an open dialogue and exchange of ideas to solve the problems of Maywood.

Benjamin Franklin is attributed with making a very clever statement after the Declaration of Independence was signed – he said to his fellow members of the Second Continental Congress – “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” I call upon the Council to “hang together” and if we do, I know we can do great things for Maywood.

These are difficult times, but I am a firm believer that it is during the difficult times that our true strength and creativity shines through. I look forward with great excitement to this new year and the new challenges that we will work through together.

I call upon every Maywood citizen to get involved with your town. Serve your town and I can promise that your elected officials will serve you well.

Mayor Gregg A. Padovano