The Question and Its Possible and Infinite Answers

Many years ago when I was full of myself and numerous other components, I was in the United States Air Force. There was always a question that formed itself almost magically when one of us would offer an observation on any and all matter of subjects from politics to sports in a dogmatic tone as if that could convert opinion to fact. After a moment of silence that would follow such a pronouncement, someone invariably would ask "if you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"

I came to think of it as The Question and have found myself involved with it many times since my years in the Wild Blue Yonder ended-sometimes asking it but far too many other times on the receiving end of it. Since arriving in Norwich twenty years ago, I've been amazed not only at the frequency with which we've offered one another contrasting and contentious opinions, but how personally we seem to take our disagreements on all manner of local improvements ranging from schools and street paving to making   where we all live a more attractive city.

In the last decade, Norwich grew to over 40,000 residents, an increase (according to the US Census), in excess of 12%, far outpacing the rate of growth across the rest of Connecticut and most of New England. Is it possible our new neighbors know something those of us who've been here longer either don't know, or no longer see? There's a promise here that for some is clearly visible even as others of us remain disconsolate and dismayed at the rate and pace of improvement. Perhaps if we each practiced speaking to, instead of at, one another on a more regular basis and listening to what that other person is saying, we'd all benefit more than from an arched eyebrow or a discouraged shake of the head.

Making sure children have access to the knowledge and skills they'll need for the world beyond our city limits through our public schools should be a goal that brings us together. Those of us who have had children in our schools know how good a job the teachers and staff do-it's never been  a secret, but sometimes, usually around budget time, we forget that we know that.

Supporting public safety initiatives that put more police in our neighborhoods and assure fire fighters have the tools they'll need in an emergency should be a source of pride and of continuing and growing confidence. Instead we focus on one incident or headline in a neighborhood and draw a conclusion that makes up in generality what it lacks in accuracy. And we all lose something in that transaction.  

There are many different ways to increase the city's grand list, which is where all budget discussions begin and end, which can also enhance our overall quality of community life. There's no magic formula where we add three parts housing to two parts retail, multiply by light commercial that automatically creates a new downtown destination or adds value to a village. If there were, believe me, we'd see lots of card tables and folks with little signs lining our main streets hawking snake oil.

Each of us has ideas to offer and should be encouraged to share them. And every idea should be treated as valuable and every suggestion examined and considered. We have a lot of work to do across Norwich if we're going to continue to grow in this decade the way we did in the last one. I think it's possible we could be both smart and rich; but that's just my opinion.
-bill kenny