Quick Updates
Weekly update 5/3/2020 to 5/9/2020 #15
Sometimes you think you have had a slow week when you look back at the calendar. Then you realize even with the calendar being kind of bare, it was full of fresh seeds being planted, sprouts being tended, and even some being harvested. Last week saw some local stores reopen post COVID-19, and we still have more added each week until July 4th. It is entirely up to each individual to decide when they are comfortable venturing back out. Many of the small businesses I have spoken to this week have said this week was better than expected, and they believe they will recover with everyone’s help.
I recently spent a morning working alongside the Planning and Zoning department. Pre 2016 I would have been the first in line complaining about them not letting me put my fence where I wanted it or running my business out of my garage in a residential area. Then in 2016 I became a member of Seymour Common Council and realized that they are tasked with enforcing the ordinances set by generations of city leaders. Some of the ordinances still on the books date back as far as the Great Depression. To verify, I spent a few minutes reading an ordinance from 1930 that is still on the books and still just as useful today as it was when it was written. Many have been updated as times have required changes to be made. As spring hits one that regularly arrives on the ordinance administrator's desk relates to tall grass. Tall grass can be a breeding ground for bugs, snakes, and rodents. In case you were wondering at what point it becomes an issue, it is ten inches. The big thing to remember is that we really don’t want to collect a fine. We would prefer to work together and resolve the issue.
The youth of Seymour are our future. Recently, I got to honor one of our 5th graders who wrote a great essay about what he liked about Seymour. He highlighted many great places to eat along with some famous people and even dove into some of our history. A Google meeting is different than normal, but the smile on Braylon’s face was priceless as his parents gave him his prize. Thank you to Allen from Coloring My Town and everyone from the schools who made the contest possible. I hope we can make it an annual event.
The applications are in for the Mayor’s Youth Council, and we have started the review process. I look forward to seeing who ends up making the final cut. We should be able to announce the members at the end of May.
There you have it a short recap of the last few days. I wish I were a little more witty to make your reading a bit easier, but I have heard from many of you that you appreciate the quick updates that I share related to serving as Mayor of the greatest small town in America. American author Napoleon Hill is quoted as saying,. "Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another." When I was younger, I would have never believed anything said would be a seed to anyone. Over the years though I have seen time and time again that people listen when others speak. Does that mean you can’t say what you want? No, not at all, but I believe what Mr. Hill is saying is that you have a responsibility to choose your words wisely as they could be someone else's seed.