Stand Behind the Choices You Make

Someone once asked why I attend public meetings in Norwich since I never (actually rarely) speak during the public comments portion. I explained I went to listen because I don't always think we do enough of that at any level of government and to be a witness so that those in the front of the room realize someone, somewhere is paying attention. (And sometimes my cable is broken and I have no idea what to do with myself.)

I am only one, but I am one and when enough of us realize we, too, are each one and together something far greater we will stop talking about changes we hope to make and start changing those things that need it. Maybe this is a week to so do.

This morning at nine in the Senior Center on Mahan Drive it's a regular meeting of the Senior Affairs Commission who, judging from the posting on the city's website started on their summer break a bit early as the most recent meeting minutes posted are from April.

This evening at six thirty are two important meetings-okay, one important meeting and one that might be (I'll leave you to decide which is which as I'm a well-known cynic and my attitude on which is which you will guess by the end of the next paragraph). In Room 335, there's a workshop sponsored by the State Elections Enforcement Commission who offer them so that everyone seeking office has an idea of the size of the box and the rules of the road (in terms of what's permissible and what's not) before campaigns start in earnest.

Meanwhile in Council chambers, many of those on the current Council seeking another term (and ideally the target audience for the workshop) will be involved in an informational meeting by the Institute for Eco-Municipality and Assistance on "Mainstreaming Green Practices in Your Community."

At seven-thirty, it's a regular City Council meeting with an agenda that's pretty broad in terms of topics to be discussed and decided (and the latter observation doesn't even include the executive session). Promises to be an interesting evening so if you're debating whether to skip Ashton Kutcher's debut on Two and a Half Men for this session, think Tivo.

Tuesday afternoon at four, somewhere in City Hall (the meeting isn't on the municipal website calendar) is a meeting of the Freedom Trail Committee (see the July 18, 2011 City Council meeting minutes for the background (all one line of a mention). The membership of the committee, itself, isn't on the city's website, so it looks like we're replicating versions and variations of the Chelsea Gardens Foundation instead of reducing and minimizing them.

At five, in Room 210 of City Hall, it's a public hearing by the Ethics Commission on (I think) the Veterans Carnival at Chelsea Parade and the interaction with a member of the Public Works Committee. Unless it's not (my point: put more information on the municipal website and we can stop guessing).

At five thirty on the campus of the Norwich Free Academy, it's a regular meeting of the NFA Board of Trustees in the Latham Science Center and an opportunity to see/hear the new Superintendent/Head of School, David Klein, who some readers of a local paper seem to think should be paid for the way we buy hamburger, or something.

At five thirty in the Buckingham Memorial, it's a regular meeting of the Public Parking Commission. They meet every other month, so here's their July meeting minutes (draft) with some insights into a direction to consider for the Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC). Makes me wonder if other city volunteer panels or municipal departments have thoughts/plans they can share.

There's a regular meeting at six in Room 319 of City Hall of the Personnel and Pension Board; their agenda is right here. And at seven, in the Planning Department's conference room at 23 Union Street, it's a regular meeting of the Commission on the City Plan-maybe (in my opinion at least) the most important but least understood volunteer panel in Norwich. Check out their agenda for a sense of the scale and scope of their overview and interaction.

Wednesday morning nine in The Dime Bank's Community Room (on Route 82) it's a regular meeting of the Norwich School Readiness Council which will probably offer a report on Sunday's "Family Day" at Mohegan Park, though your guess is as good as mine, if not better, as meeting agenda and minutes are conspicuous in their absence.

The Norwich Farmer's Market at Howard T. Brown Park is going strong and starts at ten and goes until two, though you can check in at anytime in between.

At five-thirty in Room 335 of City Hall is an Interfaith/Multicultural Celebration of Peace. While I'm sure casual attire is permitted, perhaps more formal attire, up to and including a blue suit, is more appropriate in a number of ways for such an event.

Also at five thirty in the Norwich Arts Council Co-op Gallery, it's a regular meeting of the Downtown Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ). Even though the note on the city's website is a couple of months old, it's nowhere near as out of date as everything else about the NRZ on the municipal website. If this were happening in your town, I'd find it funny. It's mine and chagrin, dismay and embarrassment alternate as emotional responses (and don't forget the currency of the members' appointments).

At six, the Norwich Golf Course Authority is holding a special meeting with import for other municipal boards and authorities involved in recreational activities, I suspect, and worth watching for future trends and directions.

Thursday morning at seven thirty in their offices at 77 Water Street, it's a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Norwich Community Development Corporation, whose draft August meeting minutes, or any for that matter, still aren't on the city's website but are available by sending a note to askncdc@ncdc.com (doesn't work for pony rides; trust me). It's a safe bet a hot topic (pause) will be an update on the downtown development workshops, applications and plans as mandated by the bond initiative.

Anytime Thursday is a good time to wish Karen N a happy birthday as she's celebrating one all day. I'm told this is a national holiday in Yantic, so perhaps those pony rides are closer than first believed.

There's a One City Forum slated for Saturday morning at nine in the Central Fire House and for all those who want to share their ideas and meet others who are interested in working to improve where we all live, this is the venue to do so though offering anonymous and often vitriolic online comments (yes, Max W, I mean you) isn't without its quaint charm, I suppose, though their usefulness eludes me.

"Face each day with both eyes open wide. And try to give, don't keep it all inside." Has a good beat, Mr Clark, and my girlfriend can dance to it. I give it an 85. Unfortunately around here that too often means 1885.
-bill kenny