Second Time Around
By Albert B. Kelly
As I write this, the stuff
that comes with campaign season; debates, yard signs, TV ads, is done…for now.
As far as the big picture goes, we’ll soon be caught up in the 2016 campaign
cycle.
As far as the local level
here in Bridgeton, it’s back to work. I’m grateful for the vote of confidence
from residents who provided more votes this time-even running unopposed- than I
received previously. It remains a high honor to serve our residents and I know
my colleagues on City Council share that view.
Councilman Dennis Thompson
is going back to private life come January and I extend my thanks to him for
his public service to Bridgeton; I appreciate his advice, support, and advocacy
on behalf of our residents. Councilman-elect Curtis Edwards will pick up where
Councilman Thompson left off.
I’ve learned a lot over
the course of four years in office. I’ve learned that there is a rhythm to
things, that things take time; and that’s it a long way from an idea to a
ribbon cutting. As Solomon said, “To everything there is a season and a time to
every purpose…a time to plant, and a time pluck up what is planted” Much of the
previous four years was about planting.
I’ve learned that getting
things done is a bit harder than one might imagine. It’s not that I thought it
was easy; it’s just that until you’ve wrestled with things, made the job
personal, taken it home with you and tossed and turned with it into the wee
hours of the morning- even offering a prayer or two- you can’t really know.
It’s part of gaining experience and perspective.
I’ve learned that for all
of our challenges, we also have enormous possibilities and how that goes will
largely depend on us and our focus. The change we seek is right here within us
and not “out there” somewhere.
I’ve learned that we can
be our own harshest critic, and that people experiencing our community from
other places without the backstory, often see a value and a worth that many on
the ground here simply dismiss or refuse to see.
I’ve learned that we have
some extremely generous people; giving help and resources to Code Blue, the
hungry, fireworks, restoring a Civil War monument, and everything in between.
We have some very vulnerable people; living day-to-day on the edge, but we’re
also a caring community.
I’ve learned that as
diverse as we are; the common thread here is that people just want to live and
be well and they want their children to succeed and be safe. When you
understand that, then our diversity becomes our strength.
I’ve learned that not
everyone who says they want to help Bridgeton prosper means it; a few really
just want to make a quick buck with little to no investment -which is fine- but
then let’s call that what it is. Maybe Solomon had this in mind when he said
“there’s nothing new under the sun”
I’ve learned that
municipal government is personal because there’s no layer between it and the
street; this is good because there’s little room for gridlock, people won’t tolerate
it, we’ve got to think outside the box and so we do.
I’ve also learned that you
can study a problem to death; it’s easy to do because it gives the appearance
of progress without risking the consequences of a decision. It’s a good way to
hide, but sometimes you have to make the best decision you can and then live
with it.
I’ve learned that it’s
easier to stand on the outside as a critic than to actually try and solve a
problem, or at least make a dent in it- perception often shapes reality, but even
when things on the ground start to change, some people don’t give up the old
narrative easily.
I’ve learned that we are
not the sum total of our problems; our best days are still in front of us, not
behind us. Our task is not easy because we are in the midst of remaking our
community brick by brick -carving out a new identity with new possibilities.
I’ve learned that we are a
tough and resilient community, equal to the task, and ready for what comes
next. Know that I’ll give you my best, of course by now you know that I’ll ask
for yours. We’ll succeed as a community and we’ll do it together…so here’s to
our next four years.