Since this is my first column as a Pinecrest council member, I want to say thank you to all who voted for me last November. And to those who voted for my most able opponent, I want to earn your confidence during the next three-and-a-half years.
It is a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Pinecrest. We live in a great town and are fortunate to have a very talented and capable professional staff running the Village on a day-to-day basis, from the manager, the clerk, the chief of police, to all who work for the Village; Pinecrest is well served.
In March, I attended a National League or Cities conference in Washington, D.C. with Mayor Lerner.
It was an interesting experience to meet and get to know other municipal officials from around the country. The meeting was remarkable in the sense that, for the most part, partisan politics played no role at all. Those in attendance, no matter what their political affiliation, were focused on how to get the job done serving the needs of the local communities they represent. It was in stark contrast to the discourse on Capitol Hill, just a few miles away. It was as if our elected representatives in Congress were on another planet, as contrasted with the issues being discussed by the municipal officials.
Back home in Pinecrest, the Village is engaged in discussions with the individual responding to the request for proposal for a restaurant in Pinecrest Gardens to determine whether the project is viable and that it is compatible with the wishes of our residents. Trying to balance the needs of the entire Village with the concerns of those living in the immediate area is an ongoing process that I hope will lead to a positive result for all.
I welcome your comments and suggestions on this issue and on any other concerns you may have. My email address is jmcdonald@pinecrest-vil.gov
