Strange title ,this one, to describe a Municipal Council meeting in West Orange. Yet, the comparisons are possible.
This past Tuesday night, August 12, the Council convened for a second reading of the Tree Ordinance. This second reading was to be the culmination of a year's work on the part of several environmental volunteers and the Council members as well. In fact, the discussion languished for so long, there were now new members on the Council whose seal of approval would be the first significant business of their newly seated council membership.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the relatively large audience was "keyed up" awaiting the reading, much as the audience feels prior to an operatic performance.
Like the works of Puccini, this opera was to be verisimo, an ordinary event within a melodramatic situation.
And none who came were very disappointed in the performance.
Objections to certain vague definitions were repeated by several people who got up to speak, a chorus of harmonious voices.
There were high notes reached during the discussion when one council member or another appeared to find their voice..... and their purpose in serving on the council.
This past Tuesday night, August 12, the Council convened for a second reading of the Tree Ordinance. This second reading was to be the culmination of a year's work on the part of several environmental volunteers and the Council members as well. In fact, the discussion languished for so long, there were now new members on the Council whose seal of approval would be the first significant business of their newly seated council membership.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the relatively large audience was "keyed up" awaiting the reading, much as the audience feels prior to an operatic performance.
Like the works of Puccini, this opera was to be verisimo, an ordinary event within a melodramatic situation.
And none who came were very disappointed in the performance.
Objections to certain vague definitions were repeated by several people who got up to speak, a chorus of harmonious voices.
There were high notes reached during the discussion when one council member or another appeared to find their voice..... and their purpose in serving on the council.
And though the evening ended late and not quite perfectly, the coda--- or conclusion---- was agreeable.
A not perfect, but reasonably good ordinance, was passed and the performers, both from the audience and from the council seats, were invited to take their bows.
Jerry Sharfman was lauded for his endurance and vision for leading the cast of environmental volunteers for low these many months. And the council as a whole was recognized for their deliberation and, in their final moments, their wisdom and flexibility.
But were I to single out two divas in the overall evening, it would be Councilwoman Susan McCartney who even in the last moments truly seemed determined to make the ordinance as strong as possible,as well as newly-elected Councilwoman Patty Spango who strengthened her own support of the better ordinance based on what she was seeing and hearing at this meeting. Both women deserve an extra round of applause and a few bravas for their attention and perseverance. As does Councilman Renard Barnes who, as newly elected President of the Council, is doing a bravissimo job of conducting council meetings with the patience and stature of a great statesman.
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