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A Pattern of Godlessness

I am writing in support of Eileen Banisch as a person, a friend, and as leader of our Chamber of Commerce. I am relieved that the chamber membership did not let political infighting influence their decision on whether to retain Eileen in her chamber role. Madison is a small town and many people wear many hats, some business, some political, and all are citizens. Some wear all three, but the most important of the three is citizen. In a small town, sometimes these lines are inevitably blurred, but business is not politics and politics is not business. Opposing State Senator Christine Cohen (D-12) as a political candidate in no way opposes her family’s business. I will be voting for Joe LaPorta, but I still love Cohen’s Bagels.

The joke at the core of this kerfuffle was probably better left unsaid, but it is not a conflict of interest. I see this for what it is. As leadership in their respective political town committees, [former Republican Town Committee vice chair] Eileen Banisch and [Democratic Town Committee chair] Joan Walker like to antagonize each other and this is just the latest iteration instigated by Joan. The sad part is that this time she has taken it to a new level of animosity. Arguing political beliefs is one thing, but an orchestrated plan to cause someone to lose their livelihood is inexplicable. This shows a pattern of godlessness in our society that will continue to ruin the core of communities.

Three pieces of advice from scripture: When arguing with a neighbor, do it directly in private; love your neighbor and overlook their faults; and forgive them not seven times, but 77 times—golden rule concepts that I hope will be considered next time.

Justin Murphy

Madison