2007 Reorganization Message from Mayor Paradis
Honored guests, family, friends and neighbors.
Today is a day to be proud to be an American. It is also a proud day to be a resident of Lebanon Borough. There are no words that adequately express my thanks for the great honor that you have bestowed upon me. I will continue to do my utmost to be deserving of your trust.
This is the 9th time since our incorporation in 1926 that we have celebrated this momentous occasion and I am again honored and humbled that you have given me your vote of confidence as the next Mayor of Lebanon Borough.
I want to thank a few people that, if not for them, I would not be here before you. First, my parents, Joe and Judy Paradis who taught me values growing up that I will never forget and my younger brother Brian who is currently serving as a GySgt in the United States Marine Corps stationed in Norfolk, VA. Next, my wife Rhonda. Thank you for always having the confidence in me when I don’t. Thank you for encouraging me in everything that I do and more important – for being my wife. Thanks also to my friends and neighbors who have supported me in so many ways – many of whom are sitting here tonight sharing this experience with me.
Each period of our community history has had its own special challenges. The challenges that confront us now are as momentous as any in the past. Today not only marks the beginning of a new administration, but of a period that will be eventful, even decisive.
Friends and neighbors, our community is poised for greatness. We must continue to do what is right, and continue to do it with all our might. Let history say of us: we have endured controversy and we grew from our challenges. Let them say that we came together not as Republicans or Democrats, but as friends and neighbors united in a common cause.
I am asking our Council members to embrace a shared vision of fiscal responsibility. We have been fortunate to hold the line on Municipal taxes 4 years running. But with our recent revaluation – the first in 16 years and the pending requirements needed to run our municipality, we need to ensure that all spending is based on needs and not wants. To that end, I am asking department heads and committees to put together 1 year, 3 year and 5 year budget plans, similar to what I developed for the street and roads committee in 2003, so we all can anticipate funding needs.
As a first step, I am proud to be able to say to you tonight that our contracted professionals including our Borough Attorney, Borough Engineer and Auditor have graciously agreed to this shared vision and will be appointed for the 2007 fiscal year at the same rates as the 2006 fiscal year.
We must continue the practice of saving for future large purchases through our Capital Expenditure account.
We need to ensure that our residents understand our municipal spending practices. One area of improvement that I wish to see occur is a better understanding of where our funding comes from and where our spending goes. We need to ensure that residents have a clear and concise understanding of spend through public meetings and the use of charts and graphs.
Please remember that 4 years ago I ran for Council on the platform of more public safety. While we have ultimately increased our public safety presence with a special agreement with the New Jersey State Police (the first and only in the State of New Jersey that provides them with a physical presence in our Borough), I hear residents when they say they would like more to be done. I also understand that 2 people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. While I understand that not everyone will be happy with a particular decision, I am confident that a thorough understanding of a well researched and executed solution will be shared and disseminated to our residents.
I look forward to reviewing the Request for proposals that were sent to the municipalities of High Bridge, Clinton Twp and the New Jersey State police for police coverage in Lebanon. I want to bring to fruition a fiscally responsible public safety program that either augments our current services or enhances them.
We must ensure our current and future needs are met when deciding the rehabilitation efforts of our Municipal building. We need to work together to understand our needed space requirements and to review and expand the current proposals and modify them if necessary. We will pursue various funding and grant options to help ease the burden on Lebanon. I look forward to a mutually beneficial solution that will serve generations to come.
Prior to being elected to Council in 2003, I worked with and implemented the first official Borough web site. We have gone through a learning process and our web site has gone through a series of modifications but the ultimate goal of communicating via the web had finally come to our small Borough. Just as anything can be improved, we will be looking to further enhance the web site and our newsletter to better serve the needs of our residents.
I understand the importance of being accessible and available. And to that end, I have taken a proactive measure in enhancing my accessibility to our residents. I have scheduled an open house every other month to allow residents the ability to stop by and ask questions, provide suggestions, share ideas and voice their concerns. The first open house is scheduled for Saturday, February 17th from 10 am until noon at my home at 84 Brunswick Avenue. Please stop by as I look forward to speaking with each and every one of you. Additionally, I have implemented a blog at www.markparadis.com. This site will have timely information about our community and give residents another opportunity to get to know me on a personal basis and see what I do in my other volunteer capacities for our veterans.
One of the goals that I wish to attain is to empower our residents to volunteer. I believe that there is no better way to help improve our wonderful Borough than by getting involved. Lebanon Borough is a melting pot of various talents and experiences. We need to be inclusive of all our residents and tap into these hidden resources. In the most recent issue of the Lebanon Lantern I requested resume’s from those wishing to serve on Lebanon’s various boards and commissions. We continue to need your expertise and talents, and to that end, I am asking the current council to review the implementation of Citizen Advisory Groups to assist in providing input and suggestions to our Buildings and Grounds Committee for Borough Hall and another group to assist the Public Safety Committee in resolving our current police situation. Again, if you feel your talents and expertise will benefit your elected officials, we welcome your input.
I have the fortunate opportunity to be working with Mayor Rob Walton from Hampton Borough on inviting the Mayors of small municipalities in Hunterdon County to engage in dialog and brainstorm solutions. Although each of our Municipalities are different, what we have in common are the demands of big expectations limited by small budgets. I am excited to share these ideas and look forward to learning from neighboring leaders.
As many of you know, serving our country is something that is near and dear to me, and serving Veteran’s shows our appreciation of their efforts to defend the ideals that make Lebanon Borough and this country the land of the free and the home of the brave. Another project being discussed with Freeholder Deputy Director Eric Peterson is a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Veterans Services to implement a Veterans Service function in Hunterdon County. Today, if you are a veteran, you must go to either Trenton or Warren County for these essential services. Freeholder Peterson and I and other veterans in Hunterdon County will be spearheading this initiative and hope we can make this a reality for those that have given so much.
Today is a day to be proud to be an American. These words were uttered by Rick Rescorla on September 11, 2001 as he and others perished on that fateful day. For those of you that don’t know of Rick, his story really begins in 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam during one of the first conflicts of the Vietnam War as a member of the 7th Air Calvary. This conflict was memorialized in the book and Hollywood movie “We Were Soldiers Once… and Youngâ€. Rick’s famous photo even adorns the cover of the book.
On September 11, 2001 Rick was in charge of security for Morgan Stanley in NYC. He successfully directed and encouraged 2,700 of Morgan Stanley’s employees out of the World Trade Center. While ensuring that all employees were safely evacuated, Rick sacrificed his own life on one final building check.
I never had the good fortune to meet Rick, but I had the honor and privilege to perform TAPS at his memorial service on the 2nd Anniversary of 9/11 at the Raptor Trust in Millington, NJ. I have since been invited back at the request of his wife and have met many of his family, friends and comrades in arms.
I would like to honor Rick Rescorla and invite you to read “Heart of a Soldier†by Pulitzer Prize winning author James Stewart. His story reminds us that even through conflict and tragedy, there is inspiration; purpose, hope and healing…even for the deepest wounds.
Thank You, Semper Fi and God Bless.
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