Take Care

Weekly Update 7/2/2023 to 7/8/2023 #180

We are limited each day to 1440 minutes and how we spend them is up to us. Before I get into this thought though, let me share some of my week serving as mayor of the best smalltown in America.

This week, I had a chance to sit down and chat with Indiana Treasurer of State Daniel Elliott. I hadn’t seen him since last year, and it was a good chance to catch up as we sat down to discuss topics from 911 to changes in the Indiana Bond Bank. This past session of the Indiana General Assembly approved some changes to the Indiana Bond Bank that are good to know for future projects as we plan. I was also able to share some ideas that may benefit Seymour as well as other communities like multi-year approval cycles on road work. While I am not sure what will come from our conversation, I appreciate Daniel taking time out of his schedule to drop by Seymour for a visit.

Last week, I swore in Assistant Chief Eric Roll at Seymour Fire Department Headquarters on West Second Street. Along with his family, several from the department and other city departments came to support him. Later in the week, I spent part of the day with SFD on my usual department work day. We had a chance to set up Ladder 1, and I was even able to take a trip to the top and enjoy the view of our great community from 100 feet up. Thank you to everyone at SFD for allowing me to watch and learn from you.

I hope you had a chance to enjoy the fireworks hosted by Seymour Parks and Recreation with Nash ICON 92.7. Thanks to the Fabulous Hickbillys for performing live before the fireworks. Good work Parks crew and thank you for all your hard work making this annual event what it is for our community. 

As I do each month, I sat down with area clergy for a Pastor Chat. During the chat someone thanked me for making time in my schedule to meet with them. Even on the months where the turnout for the chat is low, I still find little pieces of information that are useful to know. Things like an upcoming couples counseling two-day event this fall. While this information may not be needed by everyone, I appreciate learning about it in case I need to share it with someone later. We also spoke briefly about how we can choose how we spend our time. As I reflected on it, I realized that I dedicate time on a regular basis to economic development with Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation via a monthly board meeting and regular conversations and special meetings with potential investors. I spend a considerable amount of time on road work via reviewing proposed projects, helping fill out grant applications, working with our three-person team to pitch those grants after we submit them and just simple hallway conversations about all that and what is currently under construction. I have my regular monthly meetings like Common Council, Board of Public Works and Safety, and Parks Board. What I have not been doing well for the last few months is taking time for myself. I have been putting exercise to the side while working longer than normal hours and need to remember that by taking just a little over 4% or 60 minutes of my day to make time to take care of myself will go a long way to keeping my mind and body in better form to serve my community. Today, I want to leave you with a quote from entrepreneur Jim Rohn, "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."

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