Local group led by Strub and Emery to host Sunday picnic
Milford. Unity in the CommUNITY, led by Mayor Sean Strub and Lisa Emery, will host a picnic in Ann St. Park on July 31, before Music in the Park performances.
Milford /
| 27 Jul 2022 | 05:35
The new and evolving Unity in the CommUNITY (UITC) organization will be introduced to Milford and surrounding communities on Sunday, July 31. The founding members of the group are somewhat of an “odd couple”- Sean Strub, Mayor of Milford, and Lisa Emery, his former mayoral opponent. Although Stub and Emery have differing ideas on many issues, after all the political signs came down, they both realized they did have a couple of things in common.
“Although Lisa and I were once political opponents, there is no question that we share a love and commitment towards our community,” said Strub. “That is what became our common ground. That is what we built upon.”
What Sean and Lisa also shared was a concern about the damaging effects of both national and local politics on their neighborhood. However, both were also committed to addressing it and created what has now become the UITC organization.
Group members of UITC come from diverse backgrounds, political parties, and religious affiliations. Like the founders, group members have agreed that their individual differences are to be respected and valued, for a better organization and community.
The group has been meeting these past months with a focus on how to foster unity and create a positive community spirit through sponsored events, workshops, and neighborhood get-togethers. The first neighborhood get-together will be on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Ann St. Park in Milford.
“Working these past months as part of the Unity in the CommUNITY group has been amazing,” said Emery, who has been active in both the organization and planning the upcoming event. “We’ve had conversations about our common interests and concerns without the need to ever discuss politics or religion. We believe that by embracing our individual differences we will be able to create better programs and events for our community. If we can continue to scale this concept and bring it to a broader audience, everyone wins; individuals, neighborhoods, and our local businesses.”
Story contributed by Paula Luckring, UITC member.
Unity in the CommUNITY picnic: Sunday, July 31, at 1:30 p.m., Ann St. Park in Milford.
Below are statements composed by Unity in the CommUNITY
Why we came together:
Our nation was founded on principles that depend upon diverse social, cultural, and political beliefs. A democracy requires divergent ideas, values, and opinions to function effectively. Currently, differences in our country are now dividing us rather than serving us. Milford and its surrounding communities are a microcosm of what is taking place across our country and people are feeling polarized and isolated even within their own community.
Unity in the CommUNITY mission:
We are a group of diverse individuals with different backgrounds committed to preserving the quality of life in Milford and its surrounding communities. We believe cultivating the mutual understanding and respect for all community members, regardless of one’s cultural background, political beliefs and/or religious affiliation is vital to accomplishing this. Our belief is that change happens best when rooted locally.
We’ve had conversations about our common interests and concerns without the need to ever discuss politics or religion. We believe that by embracing our individual differences we will be able to create better programs and events for our community. - Lisa Emery