Starting Over, Starting Better

At the start of each new year, many of us tend to take inventory; to take a snapshot of where we are and compare it to where we hoped we'd be this time last year. Or that’s just me. Another year where the goal was to be six feet tall by Christmas, fluent in a half dozen languages, and promoted to a Captain of Industry. In my case, not quite. Again.

Let’s be clear: It is more than okay to have our reach exceed our grasp, or what's a world to say nothing of heaven for?  I'm more concerned if/when we stop reaching, if not for a dream then for one another.

As it is, that we try at all means we are succeeding and just because we may need to try again should not mean we have failed. Failing is NOT trying at all. And I feel silly noting this since it should be obvious and yet somehow sometimes isn't, don't expect to see a change if you don't make one.

We elected people in November who were and are committed to transparency in our municipal government. It's not too early to start keeping track of who made that promise and who is keeping it (in a perfect world a one-to-one correlation) and decide accordingly when the next election rolls around.

A personal observation: we should look to learn more from, and about, those in positions of leadership who seem to enjoy playing keep away with information necessary to allow for informed decisions.

There are a lot of people active in Norwich, not as many as I’d like and certainly, not as many as we need, but it’s a start, who will, I hope, consider upping their game and enlarging the discussion--but, as you’ve read in this space before, democracy is a contact sport and while the bleachers are a safe enough perch from which to sit and pass judgment, you need to be on the floor, actively engaged in the game, to contribute.

You don’t have to seek office, volunteer for any of the far too many vacancies we have on advisories, boards, and commissions, or attend a City Council or Board of Education meeting (as both are carried live on public access), It’s simple really, just be better informed. 

Read one of the local newspapers; consider a subscription. I love reading comments on social media from people who have an opinion on a story behind a paywall and proclaim, “I’m not paying to read that!” No, but the decisions you make when you’re less than informed we all pay for, so consider changing your mind. Please.  

Opinions are a lot like noses, we all have one and they smell so how about checking out a tool specifically designed to get ideas, opinions, and reactions to proposals, Envision Norwich 360!  Did you feel nobody ever listens to you? This is the space to go and have your say about whatever’s on your mind.  

It's very early 2024 and I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but here are a couple or three that might be good if you were so inclined to make or keep them: Be a light instead of a horn. Don't just make a difference, be the difference on your street, around your neighborhood, and in your city.
And be an exclamation instead of an explanation.
-bill kenny