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Mayor Hunschofsky’s May Message to Residents

by Guest Contributer May 1, 2019

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Mayor Hunschofsky’s May Message to Residents 1

Mayor Christine Hunschofsky. Courtesy City of Parkland.

By: Mayor Christine Hunschofsky

May is a time when we celebrate mothers. Mothers are the ones who we go to for support, help, advice, consoling and even a delicious meal. They are often the helpers and the first ones to reach out to help a friend and neighbor and the last ones to take care of themselves.

Our world is a better place thanks to the love, care and support mothers show their families and the assistance and volunteer hours they give to our communities. Thank you to all the mothers for all you do day in and day out to help your families and community.

Unfortunately Mother’s Day can also be a very difficult day and a sad reminder for those who have lost their mothers or for mothers who have lost children. So while you celebrate your mother, please show compassion and understanding for those who may be having a difficult time on Mother’s Day.

Santa Fe, Texas

Our community has been forever linked to the community of Santa Fe, TX. The day their shooting happened, I reached out to their mayor who had just been elected and was not even sworn in yet. I offered him my condolences and let him know that we were here for them to provide any help and support we could. Our community knew all too well what he and his city were dealing with. Over the past year, I have remained in contact with the mayor and several of the residents of Santa Fe – some who lost loved ones, some who were injured and some who had children in the building. In September, I visited Santa Fe with my youngest son in order to meet the mayor and residents in person and share any information I could. We talked, we listened, we hugged and we cried. On February 14, 2019, the mayor and residents of Santa Fe held a candle lighting ceremony to honor our community and remember the lives taken and the lives changed forever. It was a beautiful ceremony. We in Parkland will be remembering the victims of the Santa Fe shooting and honoring the Santa Fe community on May 18, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at Liberty Park. I hope you can join us. Please keep their community in your prayers.

Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health month and our community has continued to focus on letting people know about the importance of mental health, self-care and healing and the various resources that are available. One fixture that has been part of the healing process for many has been the Temple of Time by artist, David Best. This was the first of the Healing Through Art projects funded by the Bloomberg Public Art Challenge. Thousands have visited the project since February and wrote on the temple about their sorrows, concerns and pain. The project culminates with a burning to release all the inscribed feelings, pain and grief. The burning is scheduled to take place on May 19 at 7:00 p.m. Please note that Sample Road will be closed for this event and schedule your plans accordingly. We hope to see you there as we release the Temple of Time and all the burdens and grief it carries.

Office Hours

This month I am having open office hours on Tuesday, May 7 from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at Parkland City Hall. Please feel free to stop by, say hello and ask me any questions you may have. No appointment is necessary. If you are unable to stop by during my open office hours, please feel free to reach out to me at any time at chunschofsky@cityofparkland.org.

I always look forward to hearing from residents.

Christine Hunschofsky