Exodus from politics will offer time and fantastic views
A photograph option allows for panorama settings on most iPhones.
It’s a big-picture opportunity as a steady hand combined with levelheadedness delivers spectacular snapshots. Panorama challenges nerves.
Hamilton Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer delivered a big-pictured life decision last week with an announcement of her plans to step away from politics for time with her family and personal objectives.
In a letter to Hamilton Twp. residents, Schirmer explained her exodus from government.
Schirmer identified her service as an “incredible honor and privilege”, and called her “time on the governing body . .... an incredible gift.”
“Throughout my years of service, I have been involved in and supported many of our community’s organizations, programs, churches, schools, and incredible individuals.
“As my term comes to an end this year and as a supporter of term limits, I have decided to not seek re-election,” Schirmer wrote.
Schirmer addressed more meaningful matters regarding family.
“As a mother of two, and with my son in high school, I look forward to having time to support him, attend his baseball games and spend more quality time with my family, who have supported me throughout my terms on Council,” Schirmer noted.
Time with family or loved ones, even hours and days of self-discovery remain crucial to existence. Wise people know that time exists as a valuable commodity.
Schirmer, a Republican appointed to council in December of 2012 when she filled a vacant seat created by Kelly Yaede who became mayor, celebrated an election in 2013 and re-election in 2015 as Hamilton’s first Latina Council member. The Schirmer evolution from Republican politician to government leader displayed a powerful lesson in the differentiation between those two topics.
The Schirmer announcement included a message that distanced her from a Yaede administration and Hamilton Republican Party.
“Additionally, I simply cannot support an Administration I no longer respect. An administration defined by bullying, intimidation, retaliation, secrecy and selfabsorbed attitudes that puts residents last,” Schirmer offered.
....... ”I will always speak my mind. That is who I am and who I will always be. I am a very loyal person, but that loyalty is not blind.”
The message should resonate with Democrats and Republicans who place party before people and agendas ahead of decisions that may require separation from the myopia of politics.
While many influential Republicans celebrated the Schirmer departure, Mayor Yaede and her inner circle face a primary rival in Dave Henderson.
Yaede voiced contempt for Schirmer in this previous statement that aligned the councilwoman with Henderson.
“During and increasingly after her failed candidacy for State Senate, Ms. Schirmer’s own words and actions alienated herself from the Hamilton Township Republican Committee,” Yaede said in a statement.
“Ms. Schirmer subsequently resigned from the Hamilton Township Republican Club, completely disengaged from the Hamilton Township Republican Committee and — very publicly — aligned herself with David Henderson and the ‘Henderson Hate Group’ that Hamilton Republicans firmly and publicly rejected.”
Not exactly. Democrats gained power on Council with the election of Rick Tighe, Jeff Martin and Anthony Carabelli, Jr.
Yaede must suffer the indignation of engaging Henderson in a primary before potentially meeting Martin. Schirmer can work, watch baseball, perhaps join a yoga group and enjoy life away from politics.
“While I will no longer serve on the governing body in 2020, I will continue to be involved in serving the Hamilton Township community in different ways. I look forward to seeing many of you as I continue to work with the great organizations I care so much for and support, including the Hispanic outreach programs and events for our ever-growing Hispanic community,” Schirmer wrote.
Ms. Schirmer can now write her next chapter of life as the phone will ring less and dinners will not be interrupted by some pressing government matter. Freedom will find her on some warm spring day when a baseball announcer calls her son to the batter’s box.
Adjust your iPhone camera setting to panorama and enjoy the view, Ms. Schirmer.