Step Outside
Weekly update #270 3/23/25 to 3/29/25
When was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone? Before I offer a little bit about my most recent step, let me share some of this past week serving as mayor of the best small town in America.
A few weeks ago, Emerson Elementary had its second grade Class President elections. The classes come together to explain how the election process works and end with an election that uses the electoral process to decide who the class president is. I learned that they sometimes bring the president back as a third grader to talk to the class during the process. I have always enjoyed the chances to talk with the youth of our community, as they are also the future of our community, and this year was no different. This week, I had the chance to deliver President Green his street sign and congratulate him one last time. Thank you to all our teachers for all you do; your hard work and dedication are laying the foundation for generations to come.
This week, the Planning and Zoning department took on the task of updating the vacant and blighted properties list that was developed in 2022. The list is available to builders and developers to assist them in finding locations for infill projects around the city of Seymour. The builders and developers still have to take on the task of talking to the property owners to see if they have an interest or not. Besides trying to fill our community's need for housing, this update also gives Planning and Zoning a chance to put eyes on all 110-plus miles of streets to see what is available and what has changed and may need a follow-up visit from the ordinance administrator. As I assisted them, I found several properties that have improved since 2022, some of which I had forgotten had been worked on.
I hope you had a chance to check out the production of The Canterville Ghost at Seymour High School. The students did a wonderful job and seemed to enjoy themselves during the show my family and I attended. While we have chances to see our local young people play sports in various seasons, we can also support them as they put on plays, musicals, band and choir concerts, and you can currently visit City Hall to see their artistic talents, which are on display from students at Seymour High School.
I am sure many of the students from the previous paragraph have stepped out of their comfort zone at different events this school year. As I wrap up, though, I want to share about a recent step outside of mine. While I can give a city-related speech on a few dozen topics on the fly with little or no pressure, I am not a singer or dancer in the stage variety. I had never worn a mascot costume until yesterday. I can now tell you that I understand why most mascots have a handler, as visibility and range of motion are both very limited. Thank you to everyone who supported Sammy the Owl and others at the Hidden Voice competition supporting Jackson County United Way. It was a fun night with tons of laughs for all to enjoy. When this event comes around again in 2026, I hope the house is packed. In total, they raised just over $25,000 to continue programming that is needed here in Jackson County, and who knows who will be the next hidden voice. In tribute to stepping out of my comfort zone, I would like to leave you with a quote from Michael Hyatt, "The most interesting things in life happen just on the other side of your comfort zone."