Amazing

I'm not sure if I can be shocked by anything anymore. I thought teaching human anatomy to 11th graders was the end all, be all of shocking for me...but some of the things that have come out in the past few days are truly it.

First of all, apparently some folks from the Franklin Times web blog have seen fit to include me on their personal websites, and claim to have taken me to task. They also (for some reason) report on what's on my website. Folks, I don't have a secret in the world. (Wait...that's a lie. Nobody knows my true weight. I intend to keep it that way.) It's not a secret that I have a partner, and his name is Ed. If someone has a beef with that, then that's too bad. I'm sorry if that's offensive, but my personal life has no bearing on my capability to have an idea, have a thought, be a voice or run a meeting. I've been managing pretty well for the past 30 years, and I think I'll be okay for the next 30.

Also on the FT blog, there've been a couple of folks who have taken me to task for my views on water conservation. Please realize that I'm not saying that we should build water towers all over town. I know that Franklinton is in very good shape - partly because we have more water than water customers...a problem that we don't have when we're feeding Novozymes their water. However, I am also (by vocation and education) a Biology teacher...and if you know anything about what you have to teach in that course, you know there's a full six chapters (and thus about a month on a regular schedule) on ecology...1/4 of which is about conservation and recycling. WHY SHOULD WE NOT BE MAKING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE PLANET?!? Why in the world wouldn't we do our best to save water...which in turn saves energy? Thus ALL expenses go down for individuals...AND we protect the planet! Amazing how that works.

My point there is that if you've got something you want me to know, say it to me, don't say it to someone else...if you've got something to ask me, ask me, not someone else. I'll tell you anything you want to know...you might not like my answer, but you'll get an honest one.

That having been said, HOW AWESOME is this weekend going to be? I cannot WAIT! I'm so excited. The folks on the Promotions Committee have been literally working overtime - TIRELESSLY - to pull this off. I'm so proud of all of us. What the Times said in their editorial this Wednesday meant a lot to all of us - and is the truth. We have collaborated with so many groups - it's awesome! The plus of it all has been that I've been able to get closer to folks that I've known most of my life, and I've made several new, good friends. Regardless of whether I become Mayor or not - I cannot wait for next year, and I cannot express how much excitement I have at having this opportunity to serve the people of this town. It's a great feeling to finally give something back. Words just can't express it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! SEE YOU UPTOWN! :)

It's Wednesday!

Which means it's the middle of the week, and the week's on the downslide. Amen! However, the bad part of that is that there are now LESS THAN THREE WEEKS LEFT before the election! How did time get away so fast? I wanted to try to visit everybody in town - but when? Between travel for work and wanting to give everyone the time they deserve when I'm talking with them, there's just no possible way! So, for those of you I haven't had a chance to visit with yet, please accept my apologies.

It seems that we've gotten ourself a grant for some of our water and sewer infrastructure needs. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! For this, there are kudos to be delivered to our entire town staff and our Board of Commissioners. They've done a wonderful job in securing these funds. But this then also begs the question...do we still need to pay the $6 fee now that we won't need as much of the loan? How many loans do we have outstanding? And what about the excess money that we pulled in a few years back when water and sewer rates increased? Is it ALL being used? Is there something we can do to actually lower our rates or our tax base? Where can we cut anything to either lower our rates or do more with it?

I also know that we're looking at several major projects. I've come to the understanding that they are, of course, going to be done in phases. But in doing these projects (specifically with expanding water and sewer), we should not only be able to expand larger areas of town (with really attractive tax values), we also need to examine providing those services to other areas of town that have become neglected - but have great tax values themselves. There are little pockets all over town that don't have sewer due to the function of the topography of the area - now that we've got some breathing room and flexibility, we need to move forward with bringing these folks in town and allowing them not only to have a voice within the town government, but also to enjoy the town services that other citizens enjoy.

My thoughts for today.

What's up this week?

What a week! I spent last week out in the western part of our state. I led a National Board Certification Workshop in Shelby, NC. I left there and went to Brevard, NC and led a Stress Reduction Workshop. From there, I headed to Asheville, and had a couple of meetings and another NBC Workshop. On Monday, I worked with a colleague in leading a workshop on antibullying and antiharassment. We had a great time! I'm also VERY glad to be back at home and sleeping in my own bed.

Last evening, the Promotions Committee of the Franklinton URC met and finalized issues surrounding Frankenfest on Main. It's going to be one great party! I've reserved my own booth - and I'm really hoping you'll stop by and visit! I've got lots of family and friends who are planning to come and hang out with me at the booth. I'll be working the event (I'm a co-coordinator) but I'll be at the booth as often as I can. I can't wait! We're going to have a great time!

While I've got your attention...anybody want sidewalks in this town? I'd LOVE to be able to walk from my house to the uptown area. I'd like it even better if I could walk from my side of town to my parents' house! How hard can it be to secure some serious grant funds for that? There are enough great corporate citizens in this town that may donate a little to the effort, as well.

And what's doing with the sewer and water overhaul? I want to see our industrial corridor developed as much as you! Let's get on the move!

Has it really been 2 1/2 months?

Yep, it has, and I'm so sorry! So much has gone on. One of my colleagues is unfortunately out on sick leave (and will be for awhile) so work kicked up into high gear. Then, I went to Rhode Island for a week to spend some time with Ed, which was wonderful. Then, of course, as is my luck, I got sick. Took two weeks to get past that. All in there, I was planning my reception. The event on September 22nd was GREAT! I was so excited to see the folks that were there - visiting with old friends, and making new ones. I had a great time!

Okay, so I'll promise now to try and do better about my blog. I can at least say hi! For now, it's 11:30 at night, and my bed is calling my name. Actually, it's screaming. So let me go answer it. Have a great night!

Thursday Morning...and I'm Hungry

Happy Thursday!

I never seem to get to eat breakfast before I jump and run off to work. I'm really quite much off of my routine. My normal preference is to get up, water my flowers, eat a little breakfast (usually Cocoa Krispies...they're my favorite), and then zip off to the gym. My ever expanding belly reminds me that I haven't visited my friends at the gym I'm a member of in about two months. That's gotta change! I want to get myself back in shape...in a shape other than round.

So obviously there's been a lot on my mind lately when it comes to my hometown. The comments that I have been getting from everyone who has sent an e-mail, or commented on the website, have been nothing but positive. Just about everyone I have talked to has expressed their support. My hope is that I can continue to count on that support at the ballot box.

Several folks have asked me why I haven't filed to run for town commissioner instead. Why is it that I wouldn't want a vote? Why wouldn't I want to help make decisions? Well, I feel like I can help make decisions as mayor. I also feel like I can be a voice - a very loud, classroom teacher's voice - for the town. It seems to me that being mayor would be the best place for me to use my talents - my ability to speak to people in a manner in which they can understand what our needs are, my ability to help people to understand how our local government works and why they should be a part of it, etc. These are skills I honed as a public educator. :)

I can try, right?

So It's Tuesday...

...and I've been thinking. Since I've joined the town's Arts Alive Committee, I've also realized that I don't know that I've ever heard of anyone in our town receiving an award for the Arts. As a matter of fact, I don't know that we've done many awards or citizen celebrations of the like in recent times. Maybe we need a few! I noticed that there are several communities that give a medal for the arts, or somethign similar. Why can't Franklinton? What about a community arts contest? I know we've finally gotten an active community theater program thanks to our high school...should we celebrate that more? How about a Youth Star of the Year award, or a Volunteer of the Year award?

That's what went through my head while I was driving to work this morning. Who knows what the next few months might bring?

I do know that they will bring an election campaign. I was informed today that I'm not the only 'horse in the race' at this point, though I was first to file. Regardless of who may enter the race, I truly do feel like I am the best person to represent our town at this point in time. If I didn't...I wouldn't have filed. I have received nothing but positive feedback and so many people have commented that they feel like I am the right person at the right time for this job. Those of you who have made comments or sent e-mails , you have no idea how much that means! I will be counting on your continued support over the next several months.

Have a great Tuesday!

Monday Morning...

Who likes a Monday morning? It surely isn't me. At the moment, my office is currently closed on Fridays (during July) so we work 8-6 (or some variation of) during Monday - Thursday. Tell me why my body is rejecting this idea? I'm going to have to get back into my routine of getting up, heading to the gym, then coming to work pretty soon. My waistline has expanded back to where it was four or five months ago. I can't have that...I worked WAY too hard on shrinking it! About three years ago, I weighed just over 280 pounds. Not pretty on my 6'1" frame. I took some drastic measures to drop some weight (specifically, I took a herbal supplement to stimulate weight loss) and after about 6 months got down to about 210. That's actually a pretty good weight for me. But then I took a new job which didn't require me to run around a classroom all day long, and I gained a good chunk of it back. After ebbing and flowing, I got down to about 230...but upon turning 30 I decided to take a break from the gym, which was a monumental mistake that I have paid for to the tune of 15 pounds. Come tomorrow, I'm getting back to my routine. After all, isn't 'tomorrow' the most popular day for starting an exercise regimen or diet?

That actually brings up something I thought Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker did recently that I thought was pretty cool. Back in April and May, there was a campaign for Raleigh to become a 'healthier city' called Raleigh Weighs In. I thought that idea was awesome! I'd love to see something like that in Franklinton. We've got about a mile of sidewalks downtown, and what better way to invite people to downtown that getting them walking there? I see people I know walking all over town all the time. Walking Mason Street, Main Street, etc. Wouldn't it be cool if we could partner with an organization (like BeActive NC or some other such organization) and kick off "Get Fit Franklinton" at the beginning of the year? We could create a website were people share their activities, what they've done to exercise, how much weight they've lost, or how many steps they've taken using a pedometer. We might even be able to find a group to supply the pedometers!

That's what I'm thinking this morning. That, and that I'd like a nap. Yep...it's 8:53 in the morning, and I want a nap. That should tell you something about me and Mondays.

Have a great Monday!

Did I make myself clear?

So, the article from my interview with Mason Rizzo at the Franklin Times was published today. It was AWESOME that they put a teaser on the front page! I have to admit, Mason did a really good job. When I talked with Kathy Harrelson at TFT (and it was SO GOOD to meet you, Kathy!), I asked her if I could be interviewed by their intern who was a Franklinton native. They were great about that. It was good to be able to speak with someone who knew the town.

My only challenge is in the way a couple of my comments were paraphrased. There was one point of reference to my 'making Franklinton a cohesive community.' Not exactly what I said. His question to me was regarding 'challenged areas' of the town. I shared with Mason that one of my goals and challenges is to ensure that nobody in town feels that they are not a part of the town community. Perception is reality - if one person even feels disenfranchised, then they are. I don't want that in my hometown for anybody! That's just not acceptable to me here.

Another comment was regarding our police force. Ray Gilliam does AMAZING work with the resources he is given - that was quoted correctly. However, my comment was that I want to see our police force become more visible to all of our community - everyone needs to know that they can call on our on-duty police officers anytime. We are a safe community. We've got some challenges...a bit of gang activity, a theft here, a fight there. But by and large, we are safe. That's thanks to our police force.

So...that's what I'm thinking today. :)

So I'm Running for Mayor

I'm sure someone out there is going to say, "Now isn't that random?" I hadn't thought much about it until I got involved with the URC. As time went by, I began to think, "How else can I make a difference?" I wondered if there was another way I could put myself to use to make where I live a better place. I thought about running for town commissioner. While town commissioner is perhaps the most valuable role in our town's government, I decided that it wasn't the role for me. I serve well as a spokesperson. I also know that one of my talents is making sure the WORLD knows how wonderful the town I love is...and why it should be their town, and why they should love it. I know that I can be a voice...I come from a family of lawyers...I know how to argue. It took me a good bit of time to really feel like it was the best decision for me, and the best way for me to serve my community. I sought the opinion of many people, and took lots into consideration for this decision. Now, I'm asking for my community to support me. I look forward to working with all of you!