Great Things
Weekly update 1/3 to 1/9 #50
Remember the classic break up line “It’s me not you?" This week I am going to try to show how my role in our community is the exact opposite of this. Before I do, I want to share some of what has happened recently.
Like it normally is my week was full of meetings. I started the year with Fire Chief Lucas and went over several projects that are everywhere from first steps to almost complete. Soon, we will take delivery of the new Ladder 1 for Seymour Fire Department. Making a purchase like this takes time, and this project started before my time. Now, we are weeks away from being able to start training with, and then put into duty, our new truck.
This week, my weekly visit also happened to be with Seymour Fire. I started the day with the normal checklist items. Clean up the station. As B shift sat down to pick vacation days for 2021, they had to pause for a run. Don’t worry, I know my limits and let them know that I was good for carrying whatever they needed, but anything medical was on someone with more training. After that, we did a little training on setting up Ladder 1 and took the chance to go for the 100’ climb. I have to admit it was a little easier than last time to get across the last four rungs into the bucket, but I still struggle those last few steps mentally. The reward of such a great view is well worth the trip though. Following that, we took a chance to go to a safe area for a quick driving lesson.
This week, we saw longtime Department of Public Works employee Tim Ashburn start his retirement. Timmy, as his co-workers call him, has been with the city since the 1990’s. It was my honor to proclaim that January 5th be Tim Ashburn Day to celebrate his career. While I am still not sure what paper pit wrestling is, I could feel the love for him as co-workers shared stories from the past. Tim, enjoy your retirement, and I will miss seeing you out with the recycling crew.
This week also saw meetings related to economic development and a field trip to research some options for how to improve our trash operations here in Seymour. I won’t dive into either as they could be a whole column each, but I will say the future is as bright as ever for our community.
“I love the way you make this city feel and look its best.” Thank you to the member of our community that sent me this message. This is, however, that moment where I flip that old break up line and tell you it’s you not me that makes this city feel and look its best. I view our community as a jigsaw puzzle with tens of thousands of pieces. From residents, businesses, non-profits, government, and countless more things that are all equally important. Most importantly though is to be able to start to solve the puzzle, we have to get all the pieces on the table. Then we can start to really see how every interaction is a chance for each of us to make our community feel and look its best. Like many times before I will say again, together we can get so much farther. Before I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa, I hope you take this new year to find your flock. Look for those that are working on what is important to you and ask them how to get involved and start to solve at least your section of the puzzle because "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things."