Dream
Weekly update 7/17/2022 to 7/23/2022 #130
Historic figures such as Einstein, several Roosevelts, Emerson, Hughes, Shaw, Hendrix, and Disney all have quotes related to dreams. “Dream” was the word I chose for the 2022 #seymOURtown bracelets, and I would like to share some of my thoughts on the topic, but before I do let me share some of a recent week serving as mayor of the best smalltown in America.
Earlier this year during the State of the City, I shared that we would be working to become a Tree City via the Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA program. Some of the requirements, such as hosting an Arbor Day event and having a tree ordinance, we already had in place. The requirement of having a tree board just needed to be updated as it has been almost a decade since the board was active. Recently, the updated board met to discuss the next steps to help Seymour reach its tree city goal. Thank you to everyone that has volunteered for the Tree Board, and I appreciate your help as we move forward on becoming a tree city.
Thank you to the Seymour Noon Lions Club for helping clean up Kasting Park after a storm event earlier this year. Recently, they presented the Parks and Recreation Department with a $1000 check to help with costs associated with the repairs. The funds were provided by the Indiana Lions Foundation. Several of our area service organizations have national support that can be used when needed. If you haven’t considered joining a service organization, I hope you will give it a thought and get involved.
Saturday morning the Seymour Police Department held the agility and written testing for their hiring process. Congratulations to everyone that made it through to the written text. I look forward to seeing who makes the next cut and is brought in for interviews. Thank you to all the officers and SPD staff that took time from their Saturday to help with the process.
Well back to that word on the 2022 bracelets, “Dream." One definition is a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal. As I gave away a bracelet, I realized that we all have different dreams. Success in business, family, job, or that shiny red corvette could all be dreams. Here in Seymour, we have seen community members chase their Olympic dreams. We have seen others work towards their musical dreams. Even at one point my dream was to serve as mayor. The late Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work." Even though you couldn’t see it because of the pool water when Olympic swimmer Pat Calhoun was chasing his dream, he put in plenty of sweat. John Mellencamp was determined to succeed. Even as I set out to join the City Council in 2015, it took plenty of hard work to make my dream come true. Now after my four years of learning from my experience on council, I am using that knowledge in my current role as mayor. I hope as everyone that has gotten a bracelet this year looks down at their wrists and sees the word “Dream,” they will take a second to dream about their own tomorrow. Then I hope they will be determined to enjoy the sweat and hard work it takes to make a dream become reality because as we all succeed it will make our community that much stronger for years to come.