Cloverdale Comments by Carol Russell and Reece Foxen - April 2018
“. . . nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~ Anne Frank
On a recent rainy day, 50 people (mostly seniors, Carol and Reece among them) wait patiently in Kleiser Park across from Cloverdale High School for 10 am to arrive. A single small sign is visible. One side reads:
As you may have guessed, we’re all waiting for the local teenagers who are joining over a million other students across our nation in walking-out of class for 17 minutes to honor those killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
At the appointed time, the students begin to appear across the road, gaining in mass to around 150. No phones. No talking amongst themselves. Dignified. Sincere. Respectful. Quietly coming together to take their stand in the rain.
A hush settles over the intergenerational crowd as CHS senior Sami Santana climbs onto a wooden bench and welcomes everyone, bringing to mind the somber events that have us all gathered under the dripping redwoods.
Another senior, Everett Conway, follows Sami onto the bench and reads the names of those killed in Parkland, recognizing what their deaths represent to us. Finally, Eden Winniford climbs up, reminding us once again of the gravity of what keeps happening so frequently across our nation.
Some of the students may be thinking of others killed in the previous mass shootings. What were they like? Were they like me? Some are probably wondering about the guns and lack of laws, enabling the shooters. More seriously, they are wondering if they are safe. Could this happen to us? What can I do about it all?
We community members had gathered to support these students. We had made a pact amongst ourselves to remain quiet, making no comments. Many of us were remembering what it was like 50 and 60 years ago when we were in the students’ position as we stood up for the end of the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and Women’s Equality. In returning to our past, we became more acutely aware of the inner strength needed to take a stand and with this our admiration of the students grew. We found ourselves taking a step from the past into the future with them.
And, we walked away feeling reassured by, hopeful about, and grateful to the next generation—Cloverdale High School students.
New City Manager
Last, but certainly not least, congratulations to former Assistant City Manager David Kelley who, as our press release rightly points out, “has demonstrated that he has the skills, background, qualifications and desire to perform the duties” and who (as of March 31st) assumed his new appointment as Cloverdale’s City Manager.
Kelly is an example of effective succession planning by hiring a person with the future in mind. Preparing that person to move forward with training and full knowledge of an organization create a smooth transition as the changes occur.
Our best wishes to you, David!
