Read Molly Foard’s letter to the NJ Department of Children and Families to urge protection of funding for The SOURCE at Red Bank Regional High School.
Dear fellow advocates for NJ children:
I am writing to share my strong concerns about the proposed transition of mental health services to students in our schools that is planned by DCF, known as NJ4S. Not only does the proposed plan likely offer more harm than help to our students and their families, but it seems an inefficient use of monetary resources in this domain.
Congressman Chris Smith let us down again when he voted against the American Rescue Plan, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. …So, when you get your stimulus payment and child tax credit, when your extra unemployment money, rental, or food assistance keeps your family going, when your municipal government is fully operational, when your schools, police, and fire departments don’t have to lay anyone off, or when your favorite local business stays afloat, remember that Chris Smith cared more about controlling a woman’s body than helping us through this unprecedented time of challenge.
Does Congressman Smith, the Monmouth County Commissioners, Senator O’Scanlon and Assemblyman Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman DiMaso believe the fabrications of the former President and his D.C. enablers. If they don’t believe in the results of the Presidential election why should we believe they will accept any election results. These elected officials must answer this question: do they believe that voters decide who gets elected in America? If they answer yes they must openly say that and denounce the “Big Lie” even if many Republican voters don’t want to hear that.
Praise is in order for the clear initiative, intelligence and competence of our Little Silver Borough councilwoman, Stephanie Keenan. On a recent Zoom meeting of the Borough Council, a proposal for adding a composting site by Sickles Market was discussed, following up on a prior initial discussion of this issue by the Council.
The Source at Red Bank Regional High School is a mental health resource for youth and their families. The services provided by this critical department enables youth and their families to navigate through crisis in support of overall human wellness mentally, socially and physically.
When speaking to a RBR mom today about the elimination of the Sources and how many in the community are galvanizing to save it, she said. "Thank you Joan. The Source has been invaluable for our family. We have benefited from its services. I can't begin to tell you how much. I haven't told my [child] about the elimination because I don't know how it will effect [him/her].
The Source is vital to a healthy environment at RBR. Political decisions are seldom final. We have an opportunity with a concerted effort of the community to right this short-sighted wrong. Join in the effort. Save the Source.
Voting shouldn’t be partisan or reliant on quiet posts. Vigorously enabling all voters in Monmouth County to exercise this right is her most basic job. We know this election is vital, and we so much deserve better than another 5 years of Hanlon’s ineffectual representation.
This past Sunday marked the start of a 100-day countdown until what I believe to be the most important election of my life. Every morning I wake to more news stories, Facebook posts, and Twitter threads that highlight the dismantling of what I once believed were unshakable shared values and a foundation that, while imperfect, solidly supported the fundamentals of democracy. I no longer feel this is guaranteed, and I’m worried. None of us can stay on the sidelines of this election. Voting is not enough. I believe we must all do a little more.
I am writing to express my disappointment with your statement regarding the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests.
My first disappointment is in the delay in issuing a statement. The LSPD Chief showed great leadership by stepping up 10 days ago and making a statement condemning the actions of the police officers involved. I was hoping that you, as Mayor, and the Little Silver Town Council would put out a strong statement shortly after.
My second disappointment is that the statement you did make was tepid at best and buried in a list of Coronavirus-related information. While I acknowledge that we are in the middle of a pandemic and that information is important, to write a letter with a numbered list gives the appearance of prioritizing. Your statement about George Floyd was listed as number 6; this suggests that the statement is of minimal importance.
Dear Mayor Neff and the Little Silver Council members,
Utility companies, food blogs, Little Silver Chief of Police, the YMCA, the National Football League and countless others are all taking a firm stand against the tragedy of George Floyd’s murder, police and citizen violence against black people and empathizing with the pain and suffering of our black brothers and sisters due to systemic racism in the United States.
And yet, you and the Little Silver Council are silent.
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to write to you to discuss what has been going on in Minneapolis and around the world, particularly after the killing of George Floyd last week. I've been so deeply saddened and angered by the news, and my grief is matched only by the awful fact that what happened to Mr. Floyd is by no means an isolated incident in this country. In fact, it represents only one extremely horrific example of the many racist acts that happen daily.
I would like to know if you have discussed Mr. Floyd's death with our Little Silver Police officers and in our town Council.
