Growth Dust
Weekly update 4/12/2020 to 4/18/2020 #12
I find comfort in my old dirty ball cap, but I find growth as it collects dust. Another week and more beautiful reminders that we live in a great community. Join me as I run through a quick review of what the week looked like.
Monday was the 2nd time Council met via goto meeting. This time we started the process of hearing compliances for local industry abatements. One of the requirements when granted an abatement is that you must return each year for council to hear your progress and decide if you will receive your abatement for that year. Usually, they have met the requirements, but I have seen a few no votes over the years. Another item on the council agenda was whether to extend Executive Order #1 on the travel watch here in Seymour. As Mayor I am only able to put Executive Orders in place for seven days. The council then has to decide whether to extend that order or let it drop. For those that may not be aware, the Mayor does not vote on items at the council meeting. My role as the executive officer of the city is to run the day to day. The council is tasked with the legislative decisions such as this extension. While members of council don’t always agree, they do treat each other with respect and hear one another during the discussion before any vote.
Make Seymour Shine is a week each year where residents are encouraged to clean out the garage or spruce up the yard. This year, we had to go with a more hands-off approach due to COVID-19. We requested some help from the county and had at least three clam trucks all week. The last three days we had a demo truck from Indiana Truck Equipment to take the number to four. I have spent some time talking about the equipment, but really it is useless without the people. DPW workers are often doing a job that many don’t want to do. Thank you to the crews for all you do year around and thank you for the extra effort every year during Make Seymour Shine. I spent Wednesday morning in my old dirty ball cap helping one of our clam trucks rake, sweep, and load everything including the backyard shed. Our operators make it look easy, and I was reminded of that as I rocked the truck for one stop. I saw a sign that read “City workers MAKE SEYMOUR SHINE.” I could not have said it better.
April is Child Abuse Prevention month, and this week I helped Caring 4 Kids Council put out pinwheels. Follow this link https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/ to learn more and remember “The pinwheel represents the fun and simplicity that should come with childhood. Unfortunately there are so many children that face hard and scary things and never get to enjoy the simple fun of making a pinwheel spin in the wind.”
So there you have it, another week give or take digital interviews for the inspector on Burkart phase 2, a half a dozen teleconferences on COVID-19, sitting down with park and recreation to discuss plan a, b, and c as we navigate the uncertainty of summer 2020, supervisors meeting with Seymour Police Department, recorded the Seymour Moments Podcast for Monday, and had a financial meeting to make sure we are as prepared as possible for the future after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
This week I am going to leave you with a quote from Theodore Roosevelt. “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” None of us right now are living a life of ease. We all have the chance to leave our names as one worth remembering. Whatever your current role is, do it with all of your abilities and let's make our future selves proud. I challenge you this week to focus on the things you can control and do those things to the best of your abilities.