Video: Raline Smith-Reid accepts award and stresses affordable housing
By Kevin Coughlin
Receiving an award on Sunday, former Morristown Councilwoman Raline Smith-Reid urged Second Ward residents to get involved and continue her fight for affordable housing.
“Today, we have affordable housing in Morristown. Before I started, we had none,” Smith-Reid told a crowd celebrating the 24th annual George Gramby Drug and Alcohol Prevention Day at George Gramby Memorial Park (formerly Abbett Avenue Playground).
Smith-Reid, who represented the Second Ward for 16 years on the council, said she fought plenty of housing battles along the way.
“A majority of the times, I won. There were some times that I didn’t. Those times, I wish I had all of you behind me. That’s what it takes sometimes, when you’re only one vote,” she said.
Smith-Reid stepped down from the council last year. She reminded the audience that the town has $1 million in a trust fund for affordable housing.
Receiving her Humanitarian Award, Smith-Reid thanked her mother and husband for enabling her to start her council career when she had a four-year-old son. “Now he’s 20,” she said proudly.
Awards also were given to Remy Pharr, and Morris County Prevention is Key. The event, which featured sports competitions, food and music, was rescheduled from Saturday because of threatening weather.
Gramby Day promotes living sober lives and honoring individuals who exemplify the characteristics of the late George Gramby, who was the founder of a substance abuse referral center in Morristown named “Beginnings.” –Bill Lescohier contributed to this report.
Slideshow photos by Bill Lescohier
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