Letter To The Editor: Village President's Remarks On ICE

The following is a “Letter to the Editor” that the Elmwood Park Advocate received in response to our report on Angelo “Skip” Saviano’s recent comments on ICE operations. Saviano had an exchange with several residents right after the village board meeting adjourned on November 3.

We have an open call for responses to articles that we publish. Email editor@elmwoodparkadvocate.org if you find yourself inspired to comment.

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To The Elmwood Park Advocate:

I have just finished reading your latest article in which the village president responds to Elmwood Park residents’ concerns about ICE, and I was flabbergasted by Angelo “Skip” Saviano’s response to the people.

Deciding during the village board meeting to not respond to Zinanni’s comments is not okay. He works for the people, and if the people have concerns, they should be heard and a response should be had. It seems that instead the village wants to focus on frivolous things such as Halloween decorating contests.

I think it is important that we have elected officials who think all of their constituents are important, not just those who are not brown.

Saviano talks about not putting a target on Elmwood Park’s back, but what about those of us who have no choice—those of us who can’t hide, because we are brown or black? We already have that target on us. We carry it with us wherever we go.

Unbeknownst to Saviano a lot of us are Elmwood Park residents, and we deserve a place to be safe, a leader who gives us the confidence to be ourselves, and to feel protected in our own community.

A leader should not ever be afraid to put a target on their back for their constituents. Is that not what we the people elected you for? To represent our needs? Our interests?

I have been a resident of Elmwood Park for about fifteen years, and I have never felt unsafe in this neighborhood. That is, until now.

I’d like to think that the so-called leadership of this town would have my back, but sadly it does not seem to be the case. If we can’t rely on our village president to help us and guide us in a time of hardship, then what is the point of him being there?

A village president that doesn’t serve the people he works for only serves himself.

I see communities around us, which are acting. They are holding protests. They are informing their residents. They are helping their communities, and Elmwood Park does none of that.

Is it too much to ask at the very least for some sympathy? Or some words of encouragement?

The next time Saviano is up for re-election I hope we all remember his response to this situation. He claims to have been in government for 36 years. Perhaps, that has already been too much, and it is time for someone new.

We all as citizens and residents of this town deserve to feel safe in our own homes, and we deserve a village president who respects us and represents all of us, despite the color of our skin.

Dora
15-Year Elmwood Park Resident