‘Trust should not to be taken lightly”

Denis Petrilak, George F. Baker High School principal, in a posting Wednesday night on the Facebook page, “Campaign to Remain: Greenwood Lakers for George F. Baker,” wrote the following:

What an amazing evening! Approximately 400 students, parents, family members, community members, and GFB faculty and staff conducted themselves with courage, compassion, intelligence and dignity. The group was organized, respectful, and maintained a positive perspective. It is said that true character is revealed in times of adversity, and we should all be proud of the tremendous character that was demonstrated this evening!
I would also like to offer my perspective on the gathering. Approximately 400 people came together around an extremely emotional issue. In a highly charged climate with much at stake, this group comprised of young adults and deeply concerned parents and other community members demonstrated impressive restraint and a deep belief that their message was powerful and compelling and did not need to be amplified beyond the purity of their message. This group trusted that an honest and respectful approach would achieve a just result.
This trust should not to be taken lightly. In too many instances we have seen a lack of trust resulting in outrageous public behaviors by people who do not feel that they are being heard or by those who lack faith in those in decision making positions. The faith and trust demonstrated tonight are the result of being a valued member of a small community and attending schools where everyone knows one another - living in a place and attending school where “accountability” is on a face-to-face basis. Strong emotions were kept in check because of a culture that acknowledges that we are all in this together, we need one another, and we need to be able to trust one another to maintain our unique and very special community. I believe that GFB has played an important role in preserving this culture and I have never been so proud of my 20 years of service to the Greenwood Lake and Tuxedo communities as I have been tonight.
Although the matter is still unresolved my hope is that we all will continue to remember that our greatest strength is our community and the faith and trust that we put in one another.