I’ve recently taken an interest in our Town. I’ve lived here for 13 years and must confess that Gardiner is the place I’ve lived for the longest period of time in my life. It is also the place that has the most beautiful scenery. Even the Town Dump, known as the Transfer Station, is situated in a bucolic setting, and believe me when I tell you that I don’t hesitate to bring company down there if I have to go ….the view of the Ridge is worth the $3 it costs to dump my household trash.
In the past, I’ve voted for my candidates based on the marketing material that is mailed out, and by talking to my friends in town about who they’re voting for, etc ….but I never really knew who the candidates were. I wouldn’t even know them if I passed them on the street. That’s different now. I’ve started to attend Town Board meetings, and I’m becoming more involved in what our Town is about: it’s more than just the scenery. It is also more than just our Board Members. The road through our Hamlet is more than just a road to travel on my way home. Our town is beautiful land, a myriad of people and businesses, and so many other things that I never knew ….
Did you know that Majestic Memorial Park encompasses almost 50 acres, and has a nature trail that leads to the Wallkill River?
Did you know that if a street sign, stop sign or speed limit sign is missing or damaged, all you have to do is call our Highway Department to correct the situation?
Do you know where to find the agenda for our Town Board Meetings? What about the Master Plan/Comprehensive Plan that directly affects our Town’s future….do you know where to find it?
Do you know what new projects and/or new proposals are being considered for our Town?
Do you know what the Master Plan is for land use in our Town?
Do you know what the future might hold for our Town?
Do you know what our Town Board discusses and/or decides for our Town at their meetings?
Do you think like I used to? What happens “in town” doesn’t affect me because I don’t live in the “town”. Well, if you do think the way I did, I hate to be the one to tell you…but you’re wrong! What happens “in town” affects us all even if we live in the most outer-skirts of Gardiner’s boundaries.
If you have an inquiring mind, you’ll want to know and keep abreast of what is going on in our town. Find the time to get out and attend one of the Board Meetings, and check out our town’s website, www.townofgardiner.org, for the latest agendas, meeting minutes, Town events, laws and regulations, latest happenings, etc. Just take a 15-minute break and browse…then really take the time to navigate through it. You’ll be surprised by the information you can find. There is even a feature on the website that allows you to receive the Town Board Agenda and other announcements via e-mail subscription! This is your Town…This is my Town…This is our Town!