The More Things Change, The More Things Stay The Same…

By Councilman Steven Stanaback

As to quote from a French critic from the 1800s. And while it may seem true more often than not, as always, we will have to see.

Some Things Do Seem to Change –

Just look at the wild weather that has occurred this year. Three major hurricanes almost one after another have hit the US in the past two months. The US Weather Service had to add a new color to their maps to designate the amount of rainfall that fell during Harvey, as some parts of Houston saw over 60 inches of rain. Major devastation from Texas to Puerto Rico has occurred and as I write, we still have a month and a half of hurricane season to go.

Move to the other side of the country and Californians were skiing in some mountain resorts up until August, as a record 510 inches of snow fell this season. But a dry summer and strong winds have created wildfires that stretch almost the entire length of California. Over 100,000 acres have burned and continue to grow. Believe what you will on climate change, but something is going on and we can only hope things will calm down going forward.

And Some Things Don’t –

Having lived in Califon for nearly 30 years, 12 of which were on Academy Street, I’m sensitive to the issue of speeding in town. Two little kids and a dog on a busy street will do that. As a council member we have heard a number of requests this year from residents on Academy Street and Main Street asking for our assistance in getting motor vehicles to slow down coming through town. While it doesn’t help that the center of town is at the bottom of a hill of these two streets, Council and Police Chief Almer from Washington Township have had discussions to figure out a way to get people to obey the speed limit. Although it may seem I’m preaching to the choir, it’s just a gentle reminder that Main Street from the top of Route 512 to Route 513 is 25 MPH. Academy Street heading north is 30 MPH until you get to the train station where it drops to 25 MPH until it meets with Main Street.

Maybe it isn’t residents of Califon, but please keep in mind of our neighbors who live on these two streets. While this problem seems to have continued throughout the years, I’m hopeful we can find a way to make a change in the future.

But Some Things Change That We Wish Didn’t –

Finally, some things change and unfortunately don’t stay the same. After almost 18 years, Councilman Gill Smith will be leaving Borough Council. I speak for the Borough Council, the staff and professionals as well as members of our community in thanking him for his dedication and desire of making Califon a better place. During his time as a council member, Gill was Council President for as long as I can remember and oversaw various committees such as Recreation, Streets and Roads, Buildings and Grounds and was instrumental from the very beginning in putting together our annual Memorial Parade. And while he dedicated himself to Califon as a councilman, he also was a devoted leader of the local Boy Scout troop.

As someone who I greatly truly respect both as a person and professionally as a councilman, willing to do what needed to be done unselfishly, he will be greatly missed on council and to the Borough of Califon. And while we all wish him well, I’m sure he will continue to be a part of the fabric of Califon one way or another.

Last modified: November 1, 2017