From the Mayor's Desk: A Family Gathering and Another Budget Look

The following is an opinion column written by Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh sharing her thoughts on some current town issues.

Family Time

I very seldom mix my private life with my official one – but this weekend was so special I just want to exclaim over it.

We had a family reunion this weekend.  We only do it every five years as we are so scattered.  This was the ninth one –- at least the ninth formal one. I know that there were other more informal ones while I was growing up but then we all lived closer together and it was more casual. This time people came from eight states, 24 of the 48 first cousins arrived, 59 of the second cousins plus their children, plus assorted spouses and a few who have become "family" over the years.

A family tree was prepared and printed, and it stretched out 36 feet long, with 327 family members, starting just with my mother and her siblings. (She was one of 10, and all married and multiplied.) Everyone received a t-shirt with our names broken down in blocks by generation.

The "serious collectors of family history" arrived on Friday – some even on Thursday – the largest group came on Saturday, and many stayed through Sunday. Summerfield Suites on Westchester Avenue was busy!  We had a video from the 1989 reunion, and it became a game to identify the various people – a 10 or 12-year-old does not look the same 21 years later!  One of the great things about these weekends is that different branches of the family "adopt" the various meals so that all the preparation does not fall on us as hosts.  Yes, this is held at our house – we don't have the biggest house, but we do have the biggest yard…

I could go on and on as it was a wonderful weekend, from the people to the weather to the wine, water and soda, to the food, to the laughter, to the "do you remember?"  

The very best part, however was, and is, that we all like each other -- it is a most wonderful family. So – here's to the McCarthys! May we live long and multiply!

 Budget Suggestions

Last week I suggested that the 2011 budget was going to be a difficult one to prepare, and to live with, due to the economy.  I do thank everyone who e-mailed suggestions, I will reply to you later this week.

Some ideas I think can work, others, not –and I will tell you why. And one started a train of thought that we had not considered.