Dr. Jonas Salk, said, “The reward for work done is the opportunity to do more.” During the 28 years that I have lived in East Hills, I have been the president of the PTA for the East Hills Elementary School, served two terms as the president of the Middle School and was the president of the High School. I also served as president for two terms of the Coordinating Council for Parent Association, was one of the founders of Friend of A Friend Chaverot at Temple Sinai, served on the Strathmore Civic Association, am an avid participant for any charitable organization that calls upon me for assistance and during Super Storm Sandy helped organize a food drive with my husband to feed the village employees who worked tirelessly around the clock as well as residents who had nowhere to turn but to their community and their neighbors for a comforting meal.
I am not running for office. I have never been an elected official, was never an employee of the village of East Hills and have never been offered or paid a stipend or one cent for that matter for any of the time I have spent giving back to my community. I would like to hope that my commitment and dedication qualifies me to recognize two other people in our community who equally appreciate the concept of giving back.
Without any reservation I am endorsing and supporting Jana Goldenberg and Neil Foster in their candidacy for trustees of the Village of East Hills. In fact, I am giving my unwavering support for Neil and Jana who are members of the Residents’ Party despite the fact that my husband, Mitchell Studley is the elected judge of the Village of East Hills and a member of the Unity Party.
While I have been criticized, questioned and chastised for my lack of loyalty by certain members of the United Party, I feel that I must be true to my convictions and beliefs. My integrity cannot be bought; no threat is going to alter my principles.
I want everyone to know that I harbor no ill will towards the current trustees and think they are lovely people, but I sincerely believe that Jana Goldenberg and Neil Foster will be the independent voices that are so desperately needed on the East Hills board. Despite not being elected officials, Neil and Jana have proven to me that they have what it takes to make a difference, to stand up and fight and ultimately run our village with a true sense of transparency and responsibility.
And so in my desire to do more, I am calling upon my friends and neighbors to vote for Neil Foster and Jana Goldenberg as trustees of the Village of East Hills on Election Day, March 15.
Jill Studley
