| Author |
Message |
    
Jeff DuBowy
Supporter
Username: Jeffd
Post Number: 103
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:28 pm: | 
|
Jeffrey DuBowy
May 12th 2005
Dear South Orange Friends and Neighbors,
It is hard to believe that over ten weeks have passed since I announced my candidacy for the Board of Trustee Election. It has been an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I’m a practical person and knew the odds were against me when I decided to run. My vision was and will continue going forward to make South Orange a shining example of what a premier New Jersey town should be. While I wish the results would have been different, I am honored and thankful for each of the 922 votes I earned. If a man’s wealth is measured by his friends, all the banks in South Orange could not hold my newfound wealth! For this, I am thankful to everyone.
We started a grassroots campaign with a handful of workers consisting of political amateurs, a limited budget and almost no name recognition. We shared a common goal to focus on listening, sharing my vision, working hard and most important - staying positive and not casting aspersions upon my fellow candidates. I am proud to say we accomplished all of these goals and I have no regrets.
I owe a debt of gratitude to those who worked on my campaign and supported me. Marc Bromfeld and Jon Fligner - thank you. Other volunteers including Andy, Mary Jo, Ray, Uncle Mario, Susan, David, Susan, Steve, Alan, Louise, Paul, Lynn, Mary, Michael, Mark, Linda, Bill, Jill, Terry, Bob, Lisa, Rob, Joanne, Stephen, Beth, Cliff, Shelley, The Village Club and Cryan’s. Your support made this effort happen. Finally I would like to thank, my wife Helen and our children Sydney, Jenna and Adam. I thank you for your understanding and support through this very demanding experience.
Next, I would like to thank the many participants who have both supported and challenged me on Maplewood Online. Dave and Jamie Ross - you provide a valuable service to the community and do not receive the recognition you deserve. Thank you for providing me with a tool to communicate with so many people. In addition, I’d like to thank the many posters including: Mrosner, pdg, peteglider, mhd, Sheena, SoOrLady, Brett Weir, singlemalt, happyman, susan1014, User58, vermontgolfer, Soda, Dave, bets, poughiemon, Mike Materly, Eliot Spitzer, Just The Aunt, gibby, Rastro, BMO, red_alert, Larry David, Alonso Mosley, mary032, Parrot Head, hariseldon, Taylor M, Scooby Doo, notehead, Two Sense, talk-it-up, Erin B, Mayor McCheese, and LibraryLady. Your posts have kept me informed, made me think and made me laugh.
I would also like to thank my fellow candidates. Howard and John, please keep up your community involvement. The village needs you. Paul, I hope this is your beginning to help shape our future. David, I now consider you a good friend. I have had an opportunity to watch and learn during this campaign and you personify what is good about the Village and who I aspired to be as a candidate. The community is lucky to have Barbara and yourself as residents and I look forward to growing our friendship in the years ahead.
Finally, I would like to formally congratulate our new trustees: Eric DeVaris, Stacey Jennings and Terriann Moore-Abrams. I look forward to working with you and am confident you will do a great job in your new roles. The town has many challenges and I am confident the three of you will be up to the task.
I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love for this great community.
Regards,
Jeff DuBowy
“Your Voice In Town” |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2508
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:40 pm: |
|
What a class act.
DuBowy for BOT in 2 years
(Oops, can I say that? \  |
Eliot Spitzer
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:44 pm: |
|
Jeff - You're the best. A real mensch. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2448
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:55 pm: |
|
Thank YOU, Jeff...for being an inspiration to all of us on how a clean campaign can be run.
I certainly hope you will continue to be a "voice in town" and also continue with us here on MOL.
I also hope you will consider a run for office again in the future.
Hey..maybe you can run in 2007 to get that pesky Rosner feller out of office |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1140
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:30 am: |
|
Jeff
Please stay involved and run again in 2 years! You should be proud of the way you conducted yourself throughout this election. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1469
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 1:39 am: |
|
Jeff,
Thank you for that wonderful and positive message. I had a bad day, and your post made me smile. It was a pleasure getting to know you, and I know I kept my participation regarding you and your campaign clean from pure curiosity about some of the inner-workings of the village.
I promise to be a more familiar face at BOT meetings, I plan to continue my advocacy for the well-being of my hometown, and I am able to work well with others.
David Belasco, if you're reading this, I would love to meet with you to talk about how to set up some sort of tribute to my mother, probably a scholarship for excellence in civics or volunteerism. I would hope the Village would consider an annual contribution, as she served it well in many contributions and was awarded a plaque from The Township of South Orange Village in the late '70s.
Terriann, Stacey, and Paul: I hope you don't take my direct questions personally, I've been around town long enough to recognize spin when I see it (taught by my parents). I think you should get on SOS-MOL and have open dialogue with the readers and posters who participate here and who have requested that you do so.
The members of the Maplewood Township Committee regularly participate in valid discussions on this forum, and I add my voice to those that call for you to participate too.
In any event, I will see you all at your swearings-in (is there a better word for that?). I wish you much success since that is what I want for South Orange. But please remember that I am a part of South Orange, I was born and raised here, I moved back here, but this town is hurting.
Eric, Terriann, Stacey: Please uphold your promise to serve the citizens of the Township of South Orange Village, not to one man who speaks of "my vision for the village." It's 2005, let's lose the myopic vision and work with the residents that have their own visions of this town and its future. They don't always mesh with the governing entity. Please Open South Orange (to borrow a slogan from the '03 election).
And the John O. Gross issue will not be dropped. Both Terriann and Stacey are on record: they do not agree with the tactics used to ensure John O. Gross has a lifetime position in this town. I expect them to address this in an expedient and fair manner: Resolution returning him to Village Administrator, and an honest search for the best candidate for Treasurer. With documented compliance with Federal EEO legislation.
Jeff, I'm sorry I hijacked your thread (oops! ), but I think it's good that the oversight committee is in place. Let me know how I can help with that parking deck, and make sure to take your daughters every time you vote. That is how I learned civic responsibility.
Best to you,
Bets |
vermontgolfer
Supporter
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 312
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:49 am: |
|
Jeff,
Great post, great campaign, just not enough votes. Let's hope you're up to it the next time.
You're a class act and I'm happy to have voted for you! |
singlemalt
Supporter
Username: Singlemalt
Post Number: 999
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 8:39 am: |
|
Jeff - thank you for running and for showing that an independent might still have a chance in our sometimes nasty local elections. We will find those additional 182 votes next time and get you in the top 3. You've proven to myself and many others that you deserve to represent us and you won't need to "sell out" with a political machine or alliance to make it happen.
I'm lined up and ready to help if/when you run again. Start early, get organized and do everything the same. You will win next time. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 316
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 6:59 pm: |
|
Jeff-
We are saving our lawn sign for 2007!
Thank you for proving that a campaign can be run without negativity and misinformation. |
Jeff DuBowy
Supporter
Username: Jeffd
Post Number: 107
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 7:56 pm: |
|
Hi All -
Wednesday was a blue day for me.
Thursday went to Seton Hall to hear Governor Codey make an announcement. Interesting to watch a live press conference. Budget and NJ tax rebate were the topics.
Friday back to normal and catching up on my paperwork and paying bills. Attended school spirit day in the afternoon.
Saturday actually worked in the yard a little. I have a lot of catching up to do!
Attended the Columbia HS Volunteerism Awards sponsored by the Village Club and Unity Club today . Talk about inspirational, we can all learn much from these students!!
It was quite refreshing to spend the rest of the afternoon bike riding with my children and some friends and being off the campaign trail.
The kinds words I have received from people I have had contact with this past week and on MOL are much appreciated. Thank you.
|
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 554
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 8:18 pm: |
|
Thank you Jeff DuBowy from (my corner of ) South Orange.
Wed. was a blue day for a lot of us.
onward!
MC |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page