Full Notification

Message from Mayor Ziegler –Reminder about Traffic Town Hall–
 
You’re invited to attend a Town Hall meeting about traffic Thursday, June 27th at 7:30 pm at the new Municipal Center Building.  You can expect to hear from your volunteer neighbors on the Advisory Committee on Transportation and Pedestrian Safety, the Chief of Police and myself.
 
As Leonians we are frustrated and increasingly burdened by traffic in our quiet community– caused by frequent backups on the George Washington Bridge.  
 
While we do not control the cause of these traffic jams in Leonia, we have to be at our best in managing them effectively.  These tie ups are not only a Quality of Life concern, but are a very real public safety and welfare risk. 
 
Combined with ongoing mitigation efforts and new traffic mitigation steps which we will review with you at the Town Hall, I believe we are on the right track to maintain our collective sanity in the face of these ever-increasing traffic concerns.  I’m not saying we will no longer have traffic as that is NOT something Leonia can control, but we can manage it as intelligently as possible under the circumstances. 
 
But the major objective of any Town Hall, just like the ones we have recently conducted on the budget and on redevelopment/revitalization, is to hear from you.  To get your ideas, comments and thoughts about our current circumstances and help us refine our approach to this multifaceted problem.  Every comment and suggestion are seriously weighed by the governing body as we move forward.  This is another one of those matters where we are truly all in this together. 
 
Both of our previous Town Halls were very well attended.  I’m expecting the same Thursday evening with the distinct possibility we may have an overflow crowd.  We are prepared to accommodate some overflow by simulcasting the proceedings in the second-floor area outside the meeting room and have set up additional chairs just in case. 
 
We will also be allowing people to participate by offering their comments (3 minutes per speaker) virtually.  So, if you prefer to dial into the meeting from the comfort of your home, you can do that.  In this case and by state law, you must activate your camera when recognized by me (but please not before).   
 
If you are anywhere in the Municipal Center building, you will not be permitted to comment virtually.  You must speak in person in the meeting room.
 
As you know, the presidential debates are also scheduled for Thursday at 9:00 pm.  Previous Town Halls that started at 7:30 pm ended before 9:00 pm.  I will not formally end the meeting, as much as I’d like to watch the debate live myself, until every Leonian who wants the opportunity to speak has been given the opportunity to be heard at least once.
 
I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow evening.  If you are unable to attend or participate virtually, we will make a recording of the Town Hall available within two business days. 
 
Kind regards,
 
Bill Ziegler
Leonia Mayor