On Tuesday, June 18, members of Boy Scout Troop 6 attended at the Southold Town Board meeting held at Peconic Landing, to observe the process of democracy in action. They were working on their Citizenship Badge. The meeting started when Supervisor Scot Russell invited the Anti-Bias Task Force to join him in presenting awards to the winners of the Fourth Grade Anti-Bullying Poster Contest. Kind of awesome to see what happens when educators, kids and a whole community rally to support tolerance and diversity. As one poster put it, “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!” (The posters are on display at Town Hall.)
Then several resolutions were presented before the Town Board, followed by an opportunity for people to share concerns. A member of Troop 6 asked about whether a Boy Scout event would require a permit. We learned that non-profit groups are exempt from the permits being considered for other events.
In response to other questions voiced by residents, we learned how the Town Board is planning to address the large events sponsored by wineries, the need to cull the deer population, to control the dogs on the beach and to preserve the ecology of the creeks. We also learned what is in the works to help first–time homebuyers, so that young people growing up here can afford to live here on their own.
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Above all we learned that in our town every voice can be heard. Having this meeting at Peconic Landing created a space for the wisdom and participation of senior members of the community. Kind of awesome, to see people of all ages participating in our community—a community where the voices of Fourth Graders, Boy Scouts and seniors are honored as a contribution!
Susan Dingle LCSW CASAC is a therapist/counselor/master coach in private practice with adolescents and adults on the North Fork. For more information or to arrange an appointment, please call 631-734-8658.
