Great news, the Mayor affirmed her commitment to the transformation of our community by standing with our campaign going into tomorrow’s meeting. But Council President Pappas is not listening. 

We learned that approx. nine weeks ago, the group meeting tomorrow already met and suspended the first aid horn indefinitely, why then have we continued to hear it bang on week after week?

All signs point to the Council President, who both embodies the highest seat of authority in our town while disregarding the decisions of that very group. Is Council President Pappas above the law?

Let the Council President know what you think of her disrespect for town orders as you and your family bear the brunt of the obsolete system. The message below is an excerpt of a message that was shared by a neighbor who hopes it will inspire you to write your own. Speak from your experience and expertise, let the Council President know that you want to see a transformed town system now. Send your comments through this link

Council President Pappas,

I am writing to you as a neighbor, a longtime lifeguard, and a lifelong advocate for healthcare workers. I compel you, listen to the community and the decades of science supporting our call to transform the obsolete Neptune City town horn communication system into an up to date and reliable emergency system that works for everyone. Our lives depend on it.

As a lifeguard, from a squad with many successful saves, I understand the stakes at hand with emergency response. Having a communication system that is clear and reliable is one of the first steps in effective systems. The current town horn does not rise to that standard. The device you are utilizing is a public alert, something that should be used for public evacuation orders like a tornado siren, not as a town intercom, the way you are using the device at this time. The town and members of the town response squads don’t know what the sounds mean, it is a non-functioning system that causes those who live, work, and play nearest to it misery. It alerts the public alarming us with no instructions, and conditions people to sit idly by while alarms wail, something that works counter to basic survival responses.

As an advocate for healthcare workers, I know well, as does every first responder, that it is standard practice to use cell phones and pagers when on-call. It is in call policies everywhere that those on call must have charged devices on hand to be in compliance. Blasting community members at unhealthy decibel levels to reach your team is inappropriate and must stop. Emergencies are only going to increase, yours is not a functioning system and must stop.

In fact, it has been stopped. 

Nine weeks ago, as you are aware, town staff and elected stakeholders met to discuss the future use of the town horn. In that meeting the first aid horn was indefinitely suspended as it was found to be not needed. One reason it was retired was because the community is organizing to address and stop the pain experienced by being exposed to the hazard of the horn. Another reason it was retired is because our town is now being served primarily by the EMT responders of Neptune Township, not the volunteers of Neptune City. 

Why then after the town authority suspended your wailing horn does it continue to blare? Even in the past week, townspeople were bombarded by your suspended horn nine weeks after you were officially directed to stop use. 

Why do you continue to blare a suspended horn?

Why don’t you respect the decisions of the government officials that your very authority put in place?

How can you expect anyone to respect the authority that you represent when you yourself disrespect it?

I ask you to think about how your disregard for the authority you yourself embody serves as a model. What is the culture that you are cultivating through this disregard for law and order?

Madam Council President, you are not above the law or the agreements made by our community or town staff and elected officials, you are subject to them as is everyone. Stop your disregard for town agreements and stop the silly blaring noise as was decided by the governing body over the matter.

As neighbors and other members of our communities stand up for a transformed Neptune City, you disrespect the very office you hold by raging against us. We are being harmed by your outdated system and want to change course, partner with us in transforming our town by remaking emergency systems that work for all.

In Peace and Unity!