3 minute read
Parkland Update
By Mayor Rich Walker
This month marks the four-year anniversary of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when 17 wonderful souls were murdered, 17 more were physically injured, and countless have been mentally changed forever. We must never forget the 17 we lost as their lives were ended much too soon.
Each victim had their own story and tremendous potential. So many of the families of the victims continue to honor their memories by working hard in so many areas positively helping others with scholarships, mental wellness, and changes to laws that will forever help keep others safe.
There, however, continues to be much work to do. We can help the families continue to make positive changes by ensuring those who are not working together are held accountable. Whether it is criticism on social media, obstruction to common sense gun safety, or a lack of cooperation, these individuals need to be held accountable.
We are in this together and we can only make our world a better and safer place by working together. It amazes me how simple dialogue has become so divisive. The mentality of ‘you are either with me or against me’ needs to stop. We all come from different places, we all have different backgrounds, and we offer different perspectives. That is a profoundly positive foundation from which to work—different perspectives are precisely what makes any great idea.
It takes true cooperation and the willingness to accept others’ ideas and perspectives to achieve greatness. I spoke last month about “our children are always listening.” We need to continue to set the tone in showing our children how important it is to accept people and their ideas. We do not need to agree, but it is important to listen and look for common ground. There is always an opportunity to work together.
On February 14th of this year, as we have for the past three years, our community will come together at the Amphitheatre at Pine Trails Park to remember and honor those 17 souls we lost. There isn’t a community I know of that comes together better than Parkland. Surely we can work together.
If you would like to share your thoughts about community, caring, and coming together, or perhaps share your experiences, I would love to hear from you. I can be reached via e-mail at rwalker@cityofparkland.org or via cell phone at (973) 390-1453. Of course, I am frequently available monthly at Parkland businesses and love to talk with residents there. I encourage you to visit the City’s website cityofparkland.org and click on the social media icon that you prefer, to ensure you stay informed on events and helpful information. Mayor Rich Walker
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