Politicians understand one thing and that is votes. Good leadership requires a vision of the future to avoid previous mistakes. Good leaders lay the groundwork for the future. When politicians fail the importance of Ad-Hoc, grass roots groups become evident.
We have seen a number of successes in Stonebridge by the dedicated work of Ad-Hoc groups. The original 350+ homes only had Comcast and did not have the choice for Fios. No committee in Stonebridge rectified that issue but an Ad-Hoc group did last year by bringing to the table a state senator, two assemblymen, the mayor and Verizon. After a 5 year initiative Fios was made available to those homes last year. An Ad-Hoc group convinced the Department of Community Affairs to require Lennar to infuse our reserve fund of $600k, no sanctioned committee did that.
There are pockets of Ad-Hoc groups within the active adult communities that are working on a more fair funding formula for Monroe’s State School Aid. These groups have had some success but not on the level we need because they are splintered and need better organization. This will happen and we will convince the legislators to increase that funding. This effort needs widespread support of the communities elected officials and that has not occurred. There is a Mayor’s Advisory Committee that invites all the board members of the communities to participate but weak attendance hurts that effort.
When you are told that a group is not sanctioned by the board that should raise your attention and ask why did that group feel it necessary to form and dedicate it’s time. You will find that in most cases it is because of a failure of the leadership. Every taxpayer, voter and resident should demand leaders that work for the benefit of everyone. When that does not occur Ad-Hoc groups pop up and force leaders to rethink their position. Get involved, it does make a difference.