A WISH AND A PRAYER FOR 2006

In just a few days we will close the book on the year 2005 and enter a new year with new opportunities. This is always a great time to reflect on the past and plan the future. It is when most of us sit down and evaluate our lives over the past twelve months and seek to make improvements in the coming year.


Our Town leaders should also give thought to successes and failures in 2005. They should seek to learn from their choices and decisions. They should, as we all do, want to make the next year even better then the past.

Since the election in November the Town Council has had to deal with some bad press centered around the controversial decision to release the Town Manager from his duties. This created tension within the Council itself which was evident at the meeting where the vote on the Town Manager was taken.

Now, this issue will be a topic for months to come and it will most likely be brought up during the next campaign. Decisions are open to debate, but should be done without attacks on the character of those making these decisions. The decision was made and the Town Manager has been temporarily replaced, and a search for a permanent replacement is in the works.

As the Town Council moves into the new year, they need to close the door to last year. Put away emotions that will divide and hinder them as a public body. Create a new trust with all members and give each other a chance to succeed in the job you were elected to do. Make the year 2006 a year when political agendas are replaced with the "Peoples Agenda".

This is the season for giving and the greatest gift that our leaders in Town can give to us as citizens is "unity". When a governmental body puts away political ambitions and agenda's it can move mountains. It is when you tackle the big issues of 2006 as a focused, united voice that we will see many great things accomplished. When you decide that the Council business is more important than your Caucus desires, you will excel in your role as a leader of Enfield.

Now, if the next election is the main focus, your work will be halted. If politics is the driving force in addressing problems and concerns, you will hinder your greatness. If pleasing political parties out weighs good old fashion common sense, you will win the praise of a few, but fail in your stewardship to the people.

So here is my prayer for our Town Council for 2006:

May God bless your work on behalf of us, the citizens of Enfield. As you enter a new year may you succeed in all you do, and may your failures be few. When the hours get long, and meetings run late, may you gain strength in knowing that your work is not in vain. When critics insult you and pass along blame, may you know there are many of us who appreciate you, even when we disagree.

May God grant you wisdom beyond your intellect and, clarity of thought in making tough choices. May God bless your families as they share you with the entire community of Enfield. May God give peace and joy in your service to others, which is the greatest of endeavors.

Last, my prayer is that you find and celebrate the value of each Council Member, for in each person elected is the possibility of greatness, while simply attempting to do good.

God Bless our Town Council in 2006

Greg Stokes

REMEMBERING 2005 HERO'S

The year 2005 will go down as a year of tragedy for many in our country, and in our community. Many suffered great pain in the Gulf region and locally many saw their lives disrupted by the Enfield Flood of 2005.

Let me first say that in the middle of these terrible events, Enfield residence came together to assist our brothers and sister in the south, and our Enfield nieghbors right here at home. We put away our difference to unify to meet a challenge that our friends and family were facing.

It all goes to prove that when we work together we can accomplish anything. It is when the needs of others take center stage that we see what the true character of a community. We should all be proud of Enfield.

One group of hero's that we should show our appreciation for, are the men and women of the Enfield Fire Departments. This group of dedicated public servants showed all of us what heroism truly is all about. Whether paid staff or volunteers, when disaster struck Enfield they moved into action.

The weekend of October 15, 2005 became a nightmare for many of us in Enfield. The flood waters started rising on Friday and kept coming in through the night. At the Stokes home we woke up Saturday morning to find our basement flooded and many cherished items ruined. We began to pump out the water and felt that it does not get worse then this.

But then we heard the reports from across Route 5 and in Thompsonville. We heard that our friends did not just have a few inches of water, but their entire basements filled to the cellar doors. Where we had to work for half the day to remove water and destroyed items, people across town lost everything. We began to see our trouble in the proper perspective and said our prayers for people in worst shape.

What really impressed us was the incredible stories of Fire Fighters coming to the rescue. These public servants spent the night pumping out water for residence, carrying out damaged materials, and rescuing people by boat who could not get away from the rising waters.

Now, some will say this is their job. This is what they train for all year long. Yes, but you cannot diminish the quality of how they do their job. Whether paid or unpaid they showed up and took on the challenge with quiet resolve, and many had water in their own homes.

From the reports I heard, some kept in contact with their families, who were pumping water out themselves, while helping others in the flood stricken areas. Although they had destruction at their own houses, they first took care of others.

This being the first article of 2006 I thought it appropiate to begin not by analyzing the political scene, there will be plenty of time to do that. But, I wanted to start the year off by boasting about what is so good about our town.

Greg Stokes

MORE THAN JUST DANCING

During this Christmas Season it is refreshing to see so many organizations answering the call of helping others. I have observed many local businesses and non-profit organizations asking for donations to make the holidays special for people who otherwise would not have a joyful season.

One organization is the Riley's School of Dance located in Enfield. Riley's, under the leadership of K.T. (Riley) Dasilva, has a long running record of taking their success and sharing it with people in need. Whether quietly serving hungry people at the Soup Kitchen, or raising money for the victims of the recent Tsunami in Sri Lanka, Riley's has met the challenge.

In the past few months this dedicated group of dance students, parents, and staff have once again gone beyond the call of duty by assisting our fellow citizens in the Gulf region after they suffered great loss by hurricane Katrina. As we all sat by the television and watched the terrible video reports of the disaster in New Orleans, the leadership of Riley's started putting a plan together to aid in that areas recovery.

At Fermi High School on November 12th, the Riley Dancers performed for a packed out audience. As people walked in they were asked for a donation to re-open a School closed by Katrina. Attendees were also given a chance to bid on items donated by local businesses to further the cause of helping children in New Orleans get back their school.

The dancer's performed beautifully, the parents assisted in refreshments and the auctions, and the kids in the Gulf region were blessed by a donation of $9000.00 to re-open the St. Anthony School in New Orleans. As important as sending money to help others, was the lesson taught to the Riley Students. They learned that life is not just about what they get, but what they give.

But, as K.T. Dasilva told me, the job is not done. St. Anthony School will need continued support to open and provide their students a great education. So the fund raising continues and you can have a part in making life a little better for the people in New Orleans. Riley's School of Dance has kept the account open and will continue to accept financial donations until life, interrupted by Katrina, is back to normal.

Here is how you can help. During this special holiday season send a generous financial donation to Riley's special fund set up to assist St. Anthony's School. Make checks out to "Riley's Hope for America" and send them C/O K.T Dasilva at 11 Deerfield Circle, Enfield, Ct. 06082. 100% of the money donated goes to the kids in that school.

Let me finish this article by saying to the students at Rileys, well done. You are learning the art of dancing from one of the finest dance schools in Connecticut, but more important, you are learning how to use your talents to benefit others less fortunate. So when you are tired from training and you feel like giving up, remember you danced to make a difference...and that you did.

Greg Stokes

If you are responding to this article and willing to help, let K.T know you heard about this from "The Stokes Report"

TONIGHTS COUNCIL MEETING BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ENFIELD REPUBLICANS


Last night, December 5, 2005, the Town Council meeting was taped for future broadcasting on local cable television. This was not because the Town Council finally got to making a simple decision on airing it's business in the public. It was sponsored and paid for by the Enfield Republican Town Committee.

I call this creative and it goes to prove that when something needs to be done, Republicans step up and act. I want to compliment Mary Ann Turner, Chairwoman of the ERTC, and the Republican Council members. They, along with the entire Republican Team, decided to move on this because the majority on the Council does not see the value in putting their process for making decisions and actions before the citizens of Enfield.

Now, to be fair, Council Minority Leader Scott Kaupin and the ERTC Chairwoman challenged the Democrats to match this worthy action by sponsoring equal amounts of meetings. The response so far is " we will look into it". We will have to wait and see if they value you enough to take the challenge.

Now, what is the importance of having the Council meetings taped and aired on local Cable?

One, it keeps the taxpayers informed about issues that concern their welfare. It let's us all know what are the priorities of the Council and where your money is being spent. It gives you and I an opportunity to decide for ourselves if Town leaders are doing their job.

Two, it holds leaders accountable. Enfield politics has enough behind the scene actions. This was proven by the close door meeting that the Democrats held to remove a great Town Manager from his job. Having the Council meetings air on Cable will allow the citizens to see how decisions are made, and how each Council member presents themselves to the community.

Three, it let's people observe the entire meeting, instead of just getting our information from the Newspapers. The Press does a good job reporting, but they have limited space for each Town in their Newspapers. With airing the entire meeting, no one can spin the events to their favor. Neither Democrats or Republicans can interpret the meetings to fit their agenda.

Four, it will stimulate interest in your government. Apathy is usually a result of not knowing what is taking place and by not having access to information. By having the meetings on television people may find that they are interested in becoming a part of the process.

Five, it will create interest in Elections. We usually wait for the Campaign Literature to hit the mail boxes, and Newspapers before casting our vote. Once again, by having our community being able to view first hand what the issues really are, we can make a more informed decision when we vote for a particular individual.

Six, and last, you can hear residence just like you challenge the Council on items of interest and current issues. At every meeting people are given an opportunity to speak to the Council about how their decisions are effecting the lives of the Enfield population.

But, I must give a warning. Sometimes, people speaking before the Council are rude and insulting to Council members. At this weeks meeting this was more true then usual. Members of the Taxpayer Association called Democrats "the Communist Party" and a person aligned with them used language not proper for airing. So, be aware when your children watch with you.

I want to chime in on challenging the Democrats to step up to the plate and sponsor meetings, along with the Republicans. Better yet, the Council as a team should take the item off the table and vote on having the meetings taped and aired on Cable. It's time we all see what is going on in Town Hall.

Greg Stokes