600 words
**Date:** 10-01-24
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Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize
It *can* be done, and Oneonta can show others the way. In these days of rancor, we can be an example of the good that can come in harnessing community conversation.
It’s reasonable to say that we live in a time of unparalleled interest and investment in political opinion.
There is so much potential in that. However, we’ve come to know the dark side too. We’ve experienced it every day, and it grows ever darker as we approach November.
We’re seeing it play out in disregard for the efforts of generations whose best minds labored to create our systems of government. Suddenly we have become experts. Our facts are incontrovertible. Our perceptions are a reality to be enforced. Our disruptions of process are justified by our adherence to a political mindset.
There’s been unprecedented breaking of established norms and conduct. And Oneonta is not immune. Reference as example, the waging of a faux election in replacement of the mayor’s authority to nominate.
Anger and division. Frustration. Distrust. Name-calling and vilification.
These are the by-products of neighborhood chatter left to its most self-important and judgmental tendencies.
We’re combatting this growing national trend, and our own community’s complicity, with a series of Public Information Sessions. These are our “25 for 25”: (25 things we can make real progress on in ‘25.)
These publicly attended and recorded events will offer an honest and eye-opening assessment of where we are, what our challenges may be, and how we can address them as a community.
Our first was held two weeks ago.
“Child Care and After School Programming” featured a who’s who of local providers and business assistance for entrepreneurs interested in adding to local childcare options. The presentations and discussions led to a consensus. Of all the issues that were identified, transportation’s the priority.
Working together, we think we have an opportunity to fix this. So, conversations have begun and without a doubt, strategies will follow. Maximizing children’s accessibility to underutilized resources is a prescription for success and we’re working collaboratively to make that happen.
The event was documented, and the videos had more than 2,000 plays. Honestly, the session’s impact has exceeded my expectations.
On Monday, October 28th we will hold our 2nd in the series. “Improving Our Downtown Economy.” CANO is providing the venue, and the event will run from 6-7:30pm.
A moderated round-table discussion and Q&A will address: Placemaking to Increase Foot Traffic, The Power of our Voice, Marketing – Capitalizing on a New Perception of Downtown, Capturing Foot Traffic – Cross-Promotion among Businesses, and Small Business Saturday – Holiday Planning.
Based on the outcomes of the first of our session, we expect that there will be a consensus formed around strategies and actions during this one.
The success of that will impact us all.
More public information sessions are planned as we move forward, and they will feature the most informed and locally connective presenters, respectfully moderated discussion, and the enlistment of community engagement.
In these next several months we will use these curated presentations to bring light, focus and public engagement to many of the vexing issues that have been fodder for so much anger and frustration.
With my eternal thanks to Otsego Media, these will be documented and posted online so that they can be a continuing resource and touchstone for future discussions and planning.
I’m confident that through these exercises, Oneonta can instill confidence in our neighbors and provide other communities with examples in which working together we create solutions that enhance the quality of our lives.
I know it *can* be done. I believe in us.
