Civic Engagement

By Councilman Gill Smith

Civic engagement is “working together to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing a combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. Promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” (The New York Times)

Since the November 2016 presidential election, there has been an increased level of civic engagement in this country. It doesn’t matter who you voted for – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike are making their voices heard. There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of communication being received by your elected officials in Washington.

Citizens all over this country have decided that they want to learn more about how our political system works, who their elected representatives are, and what they can do to make their voices heard. And this is a wonderful thing! All too often we go along with our lives, not really paying much attention to what is happening politically unless and until something affects us personally. But today, folks all over this great country are talking, meeting, marching, calling, writing, and learning about how to engage in our governmental processes.

Califon is in the 7th Congressional District and is part of the 23rd State Legislative District. Our representative in the 7th Congressional District is Congressman Leonard Lance (R) who has offices in Flemington and Washington DC. Our United State Senators are Corey Booker (D) and Robert Menendez (D).

Your 23rd Legislative District is represented in the State Senate by Michael Dougherty (R) and in the NJ General Assembly by John DiMaio (R) and Erik Petersen (R).

On behalf of those of us serving on your town council, I encourage all of you be civically engaged! Contact your elected representatives both in New Jersey and Washington DC to express your opinions. Come to your local town council meetings, held the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 PM at the Califon Borough Hall. Civic engagement…”working together to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.”

Last modified: April 24, 2017