STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL WILDES

REGARDING THE JOINT MEETING

OF MEMBERS OF THE ENGLEWOOD CLERGY

In the past six months there has been intense debate for and against the school referendum to fund the construction and rehabilitation of school facilities in Englewood. As a consequence, many have justifiably expressed their dismay that our City’s celebration of its diversity and its progressive nature was rapidly eroding.

In an effort to build bridges to prevent this potential emerging divide, recently Rabbi Shmuel Goldin asked me to convene a meeting between himself and members of the Black Clergy Council to openly discuss the issues and challenges we faced. As a result, consensus was reached and the attached statement of common interest was crafted.

As the Mayor of Englewood, I am proud to add my name to this document along with the distinguished leaders of our City’s religious institutions. While I do not believe this statement, in and of itself, resolves all the issues that may still exist, I do believe that it articulates some of our mutual educational goals and creates a solid framework for our conduct as a civil and respectful community.

Paid for by Friends of Michael J. Wildes, Claudia Colbert, Treasurer