Dearest Reader,
The recent warmer weather leaves extra time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, to engage with nature, and to connect with others – like, out on the soccer, baseball, softball, or football fields, a place where many youngsters and their families spend their weekends in the fall.
Kids keep us hopeful, and as Rev. Luz Maiuri shares in her article this week on spirituality, “Let us train our children in the ways of kindness, wisdom and industry so that when they mature, they will not depart from these social, ethical and deeply spiritual values. May we recognize and celebrate all teachers so they will be encouraged to impart their wisdom to our children and to us.” We honor teachers today, and everyday, as October 5th is World Teachers’ Day.
I hope you will spend some time learning from a young council member, Anthony Afriyie, whose Letter to the Editor is a heartfelt call on his fellow neighbors in his run for re-election. He says, “I want to build a better future than the tomorrow I see on the horizon.”
In so many of the letters I received this week, there was a clear through line – politics. We are in the throes of a vibrant and jaw-dropping political season, and I hope you, dear reader, will take this time to reflect on your own values, consider what some of your best role models (your school teachers and others) taught you, and be eager to learn more about our candidates, like in our issue this week of Meet the Candidates, and then vote. You must do your part to uphold your right to vote, and on November 7th, use your voice. There are many choices, no matter the party you align with, or don’t…you have a choice. Get out there to vote for your next mayor, the next Board of Education members, your council person, planning and zoning commissioner, constable and so much more. And between now, and then, tell me, tell us what you want, think, and feel about and for our beloved town. What discussions will your Letter to the Editor encourage?
I leave you with the words of Donald Sammis, our first Town Manager, who in February of 1964 said, “We decided that what’s the use of patching up an old quilt. Let’s make a new one.” Be sure to check out David Wright’s column this week with more about Sammis and his leadership approach as you consider our own town democracy this season.
