First in a series. 

Observing the closely organized anti-President Trump protests that have monopolized the news for three months, former Mayor Steve Rose was reminded that his core beliefs are in direct opposition to those of the marchers.

“I would like to talk about the thought processes of a business conservative,” said the only conservative to hold elective office at City Hall this century.

“One’s principles last over decades, even a lifetime,” Mr. Rose said. “You don’t make changes in your principles to accommodate friends or personal agendas.

“Sometimes when you stick to that rule and take principled positions – especially when I was in public office – it will cost you friends and/or business associates.”

The former City Councilman wanted to make it clear that “I am talking about holding to the guiding principles of my life, whether they are conservative, moderate or liberal.”

Peace of mind is one issue.

“When it comes to the end, when I go to bed at night, I have to have the ability of sleeping, knowing that I have done the right thing for the decades ahead, not for the immediate gratification or for someone’s political or economic goals.”

What spurred this thinking? Where and why did it begin?

Mr. Rose traced the roots to his parents, Jews who were fortunate enough to escape Nazi Germany before the Holocaust strangled the country, and that is the next chapter, actually the founding chapter, of his lifelong belief system.

(To be continued)