SAD NEWS AND THE LESSONS LEARNED

     This morning when I opened the computer and checked the various websites I saw that a favorite singer of mine had died. He was 74 and died of a ruptured aneurysm His name was Arik Einstein and he was a seminal singer of our generation and became an international favorite.
     One of his most popular and beloved songs was Ani Ve'ata - You and Me. The words spoke of how the two of them, me and you, would go on to change the world and others would follow. It spoke of the difficulty of such a journey, the wounds that might be received in such an attempt, but no matter, because others would begin to follow them and the goal would be reached. This song spoke to the hearts of Israeli youth and indeed all youth who are idealistic and always going to improve on the world their parents and grandparents had left them.
     Well, we are no longer the idealistic youth of the 60's and 70's but the words of his songs should still sing to our hearts and minds. Inside we are the same as we were in the hopes and dreams of a better world. Together - Ani Ve'ata - we can make a difference here in the Village. Together we can work to build and rebuild the dream of life here in the Village. Let us turn back to the future, back to our idealism and put aside the cynical views of administrations and administrators and remember that indeed, there still are people who follow these words, who still subscribe to the words  of JFK when he said, "I see a wrong and want to make it right...... I ask why not?" He did not let the drab and discouraging face of realities discourage him. He asked why not, why cannot we make the world right, why cannot we make the effort.
     So the hero of my middle school years and a favorite singer who spoke to the heart are still talking to me and I hope to you. Together we can right the wrongs here in the Village. Together, me and you, we can change the world and bring along the others, and truly it is happening even as we speak as more and more people are joining the team and asking "why not? Why can't we turn out the  wrong that is here and bring in the good, the right? Why cannot we make a better world?"
     People, fellow residents, we certainly can. Let us turn to the hope and faith of our youth, leave behind the cynicism and weariness that we have all developed, and let us work together to make a better world here. I know where my responsibilities lie; I said so in my Mission Statement which can be found on this blog.

 For the sake of all of us - term limits in, Dave out, his henchmen out - you and me - Esther and all of you - in office together.