From the October-November 2000 Edition 

TV Interviews by League of Women Voters   In the Spring and Summer, the Fair Lawn’s League of Women Voters interviewed about 50 Fair Lawn residents to discuss voting in America.  They talked about why they came to America and why their vote counted.   The interviews were scheduled for broadcast on Fair Lawn’s Creative Cable but they were destroyed in a Labor Day flood. (See Story on Cable Station Flooded)   Many of the immigrants interviewed told of how they had to give up their homes, money, and possessions in order to emigrate.  But they said that the privileges and freedoms they now enjoy in the United States have made their sacrifices worthwhile.  Nancy Wallace and Fran Davis from the League of Women Voters provided Fair Lawn News with the following excerpts from the tapes.   Aliette Abo, born in France, raised in Fair Lawn, is the child of Holocaust survivors. She said that her mother and father taught her from their own experience that “…when people’s voices are silenced, it is all too easy for tyranny to emerge….We too have the responsibility and obligation to remember the past and preserve the future by casting our vote.”      Carlos Patino, born in Columbia said he has “…enjoyed a good life in America, and my only regret is that I did not become a citizen of this country as soon as I was eligible. But, I did…and I have voted in every election since that time.”   Carlos’ 16 year old son David Patino, a native born American, said, “Unlike my family, we take our freedoms for granted, but my parents remind us with stories about their native land that sort of jolts us into realizing how lucky we are….I will not have to be reminded to register to vote when I am eligible.”      Lucy Kourtesis came from Italy when she was very young. She believes that “…by voting I am able to take part in shaping the future of my town, state, and country….When the time comes to vote, I will vote because I believe that one vote does make a difference.”      Hiral Patel came with her parents to America from India 20 years ago. She is “…grateful to have a voice for the future of this country and able to exercise my right as a woman and a US citizen….together we can make it count.”      Mark Sedaka, native Israeli, proudly stated, “….We Americans sometimes forget that we are part of the greatest, longest running social experiment in the history of the world, democracy!!!….We only have to do one thing to keep our country free – we have to vote….Keep the experiment alive –keep American free – protect the future.”      Dorothy Echols Tobe, native born, pointed out that she “…often hears people say ‘my vote does not count.’ If that were true, then politicians would not spend millions of dollars to court your vote. Political participation is power and the power is in your vote.”    “Life was difficult at first,” said Nelsie Parrado, who settled in Fair Lawn from the Philippines 16 years ago. She took three jobs to make ends meet. Today Nelsie claims, “Life is good!….To be able to live the American dream, to give back to the community whatever talents one has, and to exercise the right to vote.”  Christine Davies will turn 18 on election day. “Talk about perfect timing! The first presidential election of the new millennium, and I get to vote in it! There’s no way I’m going to miss out on this exciting opportunity to choose the next leader of our country…I encourage all of you to get out to the polls on my birthday, November 7, 2000 and let your voice be heard!”      Lenny Sapozhnikov, an 18 year old from Russia said “…not enough Americans vote. They seem not to realize that unlike other countries, this is what keeps the government in the hands of the people. This is what keeps politicians responsive to the needs of their people. This is what makes them campaign and listen. This is what makes them communicate with their constituents…..And so, I urge all to vote. Do it because you can, because you want to, and because you should. I know, I cannot wait.”      Fair Lawn student Marie Ryan said, “As a new voter, I believe that the voices of the young people should be heard and the most effective way is by going to the polls on election day.”      Seventeen year old Jessica Lee was born in this country because her mother had the opportunity to come to America. Jessica said, “….I know that if I had been born in China, I would not be the strong individual that I am today because as a woman, I would not have been encouraged to speak my mind and form my own opinions….I know that my opinion counts and I can voice my opinion by voting. The privilege to vote is…only available in a democracy.”      Joan Soriano from the Philippines will vote for the first time in November and says she’s “…been doing all her homework….I know that my vote will make a difference in choosing a good leader. It’s cool knowing that my opinion does actually count.”      Larisa Berezovsky brought her family to the United States from the Soviet Union where she says, “…they also voted, but it was not an election, but a show. The results were predetermined and only one name was on the ballot….Here, we are privileged to witness and participate in a real democracy….Since we have the honor to express our opinions on how to make this country better, let’s fulfill the responsibility. It is our country and every vote counts.”      A native of El Salvador, Reina Valenzuela has been in the United States for 20 years. “New citizens uphold the same ideals of the first immigrants and we embrace the same values….join us as we follow the tradition that allows us to elect our government representatives at all levels.”    Teodoro Halpern teaches Physics at Ramapo College. He has been in America more than half his life, coming here from Argentina with his wife and 3 small children. He said, “…if you are registered to vote, I urge you to vote…If you are not, you owe it to me and to this country to register and vote….please, help us build, together, a better world. I ask you to vote because it is my business! Who you vote, though, is your business, but please, vote as if your life and the life of your loved ones depended on it: Some day it may.”        Election Day is November 7th.