500 signatures reached
To: Highlands Borough, Highlands Administration, Highlands Mayor
REINSTATE PETER’S MEMORIAL PLAQUE
The plaque dedicated to Peter White at the Highlands Skatepark must be reinstated effective immediately.
PLEASE CALL THE BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL MUSCILLO- LEAVE A MESSAGE AND LET HIM KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS!! His number is 732-872-1224 x202.
PLEASE CALL THE BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL MUSCILLO- LEAVE A MESSAGE AND LET HIM KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS!! His number is 732-872-1224 x202.
Why is this important?
Peter White tragically passed away on June 5th, 2023 after a long battle with mental health and addiction. Peter was everyone’s favorite person and lit up every room he stepped in. No matter what he went through in his own life, he put others first and was always there for anything you needed. From a young age, Pete loved to skate. His escape was always to hop on his board and take a ride. He practically lived at Highlands Skatepark his entire childhood, along with his friends. He inspired and taught many to skate, even his 2 year old stepson was obsessed with his skateboard.
The simple fact is, mental health and addiction are the leading causes of premature death, especially in people under 35, surpassing COVID 19, tragic accidents, and even cancer, yet it is being silenced and hushed due to shame and judgement. It can happen to ANYONE, it does not discriminate, and to watch your loved one go through such suffering will change you forever. Addiction and mental health awareness SHOULD BE OF THE UPMOST PRIORITY! Children are dying, mothers and fathers are dying, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends … at a rapid speed.
Unfortunately less than 3% of all addicts recover, and when it comes down to it Pete is just one of the 97%+ who could not win. However, he fought until his very last day on earth. He got back up every time, and in between comforted those who loved him and did his absolute best to save himself.
His memory at this Skatepark is more than just his memory, it is a reminder to all addicts and those struggling with mental health, whether with us on Earth or passed, that they WILL be missed. That they DO have an impact. That their life DOES matter.
It’s a shame that this plaque could ever be considered taken down, when this issue is so important and so real to so many in our community alone.
In loving Memory of Peter White, Aj Heagney, Brandon McGeorge, Mat Adams, Chris Messiah, and the list goes on and on and on….
The simple fact is, mental health and addiction are the leading causes of premature death, especially in people under 35, surpassing COVID 19, tragic accidents, and even cancer, yet it is being silenced and hushed due to shame and judgement. It can happen to ANYONE, it does not discriminate, and to watch your loved one go through such suffering will change you forever. Addiction and mental health awareness SHOULD BE OF THE UPMOST PRIORITY! Children are dying, mothers and fathers are dying, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends … at a rapid speed.
Unfortunately less than 3% of all addicts recover, and when it comes down to it Pete is just one of the 97%+ who could not win. However, he fought until his very last day on earth. He got back up every time, and in between comforted those who loved him and did his absolute best to save himself.
His memory at this Skatepark is more than just his memory, it is a reminder to all addicts and those struggling with mental health, whether with us on Earth or passed, that they WILL be missed. That they DO have an impact. That their life DOES matter.
It’s a shame that this plaque could ever be considered taken down, when this issue is so important and so real to so many in our community alone.
In loving Memory of Peter White, Aj Heagney, Brandon McGeorge, Mat Adams, Chris Messiah, and the list goes on and on and on….