leffert st. mural

About twenty-five volunteers of all ages came out today to participate in the creation of a mural on the East End. The first layer of colorful paint has been applied to the bottom of the wall; Lara Kulpa will be painting the top on donated scaffolding. Textured patterns will layer on top of the base design. This is part of an effort to turn this neighborhood around by nurturing the pride that these kids have in public projects (community garden, mural, and next, a mosaic wall!) It was a great day and showing by all. Everyone was patient, well-behaved, and very helpful. Thank you, dear lord, for the beautiful weather.

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mayor = management

The Recorder’s statement in yesterday’s editorial (June 8, 2013), “A mayor, for example, need only know how to maneuver a giant pair of scissors near an out-sized grand opening ribbon, know which end of a gavel (or trowel) is the business end, and delegate to those around him or her who have been selected for their ability to say “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am.“, indicates an innate ignorance of the importance or purpose of the Mayor’s position.

The Mayor is the driving force behind collaborative effort and progressive change; otherwise all parts move independently without direction or goals. This scenario was compellingly modeled by the Emanuele administration. From 2004 – 2008, the comprehensive plan gathered dust and projects languished as the Part-time Mayor spent his days at another job in Fonda. Conversely, we may look at municipalities where the Mayor is intelligent, involved, organized and a strong manager to see progress being made in tough economic times. I am proud to cite the work of some of my personal heroes and friends: Sam Terisi of Jamestown, NY; Cory Booker of Newark, NJ; and, now Assemblyman John McDonald of Cohoes, NY.

This inability to understand effective management may speak directly to the decline of the paper and its sale to a new owner. The new owners should look carefully at their administrative staff and think about replacements. Good management is the lynch pin of success.

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sniff this

To all of the wailing and negative curmudgeons that said converting this plot of land below City Hall into a rose garden to save the retaining walls was a tremendous waste of money, this is what it looked like today.

It isn’t even in full bloom yet… and yet, it is fully magnificent with blooms.

I do hereby commit myself to making as many similar, small, significant changes to this City as I may during my time here. Peace out.

Double click on any image to enlarge.

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being but men

Being But Men
by Dylan Thomas

Being but men, we walked into the trees
Afraid, letting our syllables be soft
For fear of waking the rooks,
For fear of coming
Noiselessly into a world of wings and cries.

If we were children we might climb,
Catch the rooks sleeping, and break no twig,
And, after the soft ascent,
Thrust out our heads above the branches
To wonder at the unfailing stars.

Out of confusion, as the way is,
And the wonder, that man knows,
Out of the chaos would come bliss.

That, then, is loveliness, we said,
Children in wonder watching the stars,
Is the aim and the end.

Being but men, we walked into the trees.

“Being But Men” by Dylan Thomas, from Collected Poems. © Norton, 1971.

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