Parkland Update

By Mayor Rich Walker

November 3rd will signify the oneyear anniversary of when I was blessed with the honor of serving the residents as Mayor of the City of Parkland (City). How quickly this year has flown by. Our world continues to be affected by the pandemic. We have charged forward with modifications to embrace our new normal… children are back at school and businesses have implemented modifications to their processes. In order to move ahead, we have embraced change. We all embrace who we are as a City… but we also recognize the value of change in order to continue progress. I know we would love for things to continue to remain the same… our children to stay young, our lives to remain simple, our community to remain exactly as it has always been. But change is inevitable and with it comes progress—and how we manage change will define us, our community, and our future. As a family of seven, my amazing wife and five school-aged children are rooted in our community, organizations, athletic programs, and Parkland schools. I understand the current challenges we face and what we may face in the future.

All five members of the City Commission have a unique perspective, but we all want what’s best for Parkland today, tomorrow, five years from now, even decades from now. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of this change, it can sometimes get lost that we, too, are husbands, fathers, and residents of this wonderful City. It’s encouraging to see so many people getting engaged in what’s going on throughout our City. Nothing is more valuable than having a dialogue with residents on which we can base our decisions. We encourage you to be engaged and proactively involved. We love to see you at our meetings and around town. We are in this together to do what’s best for all of our residents and to continue to make Parkland the best City we can all call home.

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11th, honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We can never forget to thank our Veterans, but with special gratitude on this day because without their sacrifices we would not have the freedoms and liberties we are blessed with in our Country. November welcomes Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays. It signifies the unofficial arrival of the holiday season and is a time to reflect and give thanks with family and friends. On Thanksgiving, I prepare a huge meal while The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade plays on television. As our children get older, it’s even more special as they work alongside me in the kitchen. Saturday, November 27th is Small Business Saturday! Don’t forget to support our small businesses that help make our community special. Our City Commission will be showcasing the vast array of merchants, goods, and services offered in Parkland and we encourage you to do the same by using the hashtag #SmallBusinessSaturday on social media. The Parkland Farmers’ Market season begins this month and runs through April. I hope to see you all at our first market date on November 7th. I know I will be there—probably first in line to pick up the highly anticipated apple cider donuts.

If you would like to share your thoughts about public service, or any other topic, 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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