Particularly Hard
Weekly update 9/4/2022 to 9/10/2022 #137
How do you eat an elephant? Before I fry this thought up further though, how about some of my week serving as mayor of the best smalltown in America.
Did you get a chance to visit the new Walnut Manor Apartments at Lutheran Community Homes during their open house? The recently constructed units feature one- and two-bedroom options with walk-in showers and spacious kitchens. If cooking isn’t your favorite though, they have a cafe-style dining area that residents are able to get a meal. If you are older and thinking of relocating, get in touch with them to learn more.
Congratulations to SHS Varsity Footbal on your win over Flyod Central! Thank you for allowing me to be the guest speaker during a pregame meal. I chose to use quotes from Henry Ford as I worked through what I shared with the team. I shared about having each others' backs on the field. We talked about the benefits of a positive attitude along with the importance of enthusiasm. How that spark in your eye can be contagious and lead to great things on and off the field. I closed with one particular quote, but I will hold that to finish up this week's article. Thank you, Coach Moore, for the chance to speak to the team. I enjoy speaking to the future of our community any chance I get.
Good job SHS band, color guard, and cheerleaders on your performance at IU Band Day. It is always amazing to see how it all comes together. This year, they performed at the IU vs. Idaho halftime show, and you, along with all the area bands, rocked it. Good job also to the parents club for pulling together even after a rough start to transport and feed the over 250 kids that participated. From the convoy to get all the participants, instruments, uniforms, and food to Bloomington to the preparation of lunch for that large of a crowd, it takes a small army of dedicated volunteers. It would not be possible without all the help. Over my time as a band parent, I have worked with many different groups, and I can’t say thank you enough for all you do for our kids.
Now back to how to eat an elephant. One bite at a time is the only approach you can take. For footbal that is one play at a time, each setting up the next. Offense and defense working hard during their time on the field to make the outcome like it was last night. As that group effort comes out, goals are met. The season won’t be easy, but it will be fun and successful as all divide the work up and take on their part. Jump up to the band and all that goes into IU Band Day for this large group of students. No one from the parent group is expected to do everything even though it has many all-hands-on-deck moments. When everyone takes on small pieces of tasks throughout the day, it becomes a much easier job to manage. From the parent running the grill to the truck drivers to everyone helping make sure uniforms are hung with care to the group loading the truck, it takes many hands to make the task easier. Now to try to tie this back to our city. While we have a team of employee we call the “city team” that we use on special projects, I don’t expect my parks crews to know how to install a sanitary sewer line. I also don’t expect the crews from Water Pollution Control to know how to prepare a ball field for a weekend tournament. To help decide executive and legislative responsibilities state code and city ordinance will designate who has certain responsibilities. This is why we have many different boards who all have their own items to take care of. One example that I feel like I explain on a regular basis is a rezone; a rezone goes to Common Council while a variance is decided by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Water Pollution Control reports to the Board of Works as it has for several decades now. The Parks and Recreation Board oversees most things parks and rec with some items that they vote being presented to the Board of Works for final approval. Even though my role as mayor is the day-to-day hands-on role, it takes many others to do their designated responsibilities to help keep our city running smoothly. Today, I will leave you with the Henry Ford quote I closed my speech to the football team with, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”