I wrote a commentary published in The SandPaper last May about a return to civil, civic engagement in Beach Haven. Having attended just about every council meeting since then, and as a newly appointed member of the Beach Haven Land Use Board, it is encouraging to see how the public has more fully engaged with our governing bodies over the past several months on a wide range of issues. Now seems like a good time to celebrate new efforts in open government in Beach Haven and what more we can do.

As noted in my previous commentary, healthy civic engagement requires patience, honesty and good communication.