By Dave Fried
There are very few outcomes in life that actually surpass even your wildest dreams.
Seeing the Shepherd Family of Robbinsville drive away from the Hilton Garden Inn in a new, wheelchair accessible van on April 1 was one of those times.
While I appreciate the overwhelming support and congratulatory slaps on the back for the humbling success of our 2015 State of Robbinsville Township “Pay it Forward’’ event, what happened that night was far bigger than me. The Robbinsville community, our overwhelmingly generous businesses both large and small, Legacy Treatment Services, ONE Project, my wife Kathryn, friends such as Roy Leitstein and the best staff any Mayor can possibly hope for turned what we figured would be a great event into an epic experience for all of us.
Literally every person, every group and every individual we asked to help Trey, who suffers from Spina Bifida and has endured multiple surgeries, said “Yes.” I knew what was happening was bigger than anything we could even understand. This community comes together unlike any I have ever heard of. Every time I put out a call for help, our residents and community are able to respond en masse.
I am baffled as to what we could possibly do for an encore in 2016, and beyond, but I have every confidence that together we can continue to set a high bar for public service, compassion and kindness in the years to come.
We did manage to squeeze in some important township business that evening, with perhaps the most notable being the unveiling of the design for our new municipal building being built along Route 33 adjacent to Investors Bank.
With $3-million set aside for the building in my proposed 2015-16 budget, the public is getting a one-stop shop of township services on one floor in a wonderfully designed building for less than we are currently paying in rent. In 20 years, it will become an asset the township will own, all without a tax increase.
Thank you to business administrator Joy Tozzi and engineer Tim McGough for all their hard work in putting together what we feel is a masterful and easy to navigate floor plan that includes 15,000-square feet of office space, along with a township council chamber to host all of our meetings.
Speaking of council, anyone interested in running for office in the 2015 Municipal Election will be able to pick up their petitions at the office of township clerk Michele Seigfried on May 1. Please call (609) 918-0002 ext. 103 and give your full name, home address, email address and telephone number. Interested candidates must be a registered voter in Robbinsville and must have resided in Robbinsville for at least one year prior to the election.
There are three, four-year terms for council available. The petition deadline is Monday, Aug, 31 at 4 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
Enjoy this great start to Spring, and don’t forget about our Senior Center Open House on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 p.m.
Dave Fried is mayor of Robbinsville.
