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!