What is Wilmore? To some people it's real estate. To others, it's sacred space. To still others, it's property, "and you had better not trespass."
Over the last 25 years, I have observed the public's complex feelings about Wilmore on an almost daily basis. I value the community's urge to discover the highest and best use of what we say is important to our quality of life. For us to be "trusted" we have to do a lot of listening to and learning about different points of view.
Over the last few years we have tried to become better at forging partnerships, creating local task forces, polling you about many issues and working to empower our wonderful staff.
I see some areas within our beloved community that are "gray areas". A "gray area" is neither black nor white, neither right nor wrong; a gray area is ambiguous. Areas such as:
These "gray areas" will continue to present challenges and opportunities for Wilmore. One way to begin seeing through the gray fog is to study emerging successes and analyze what makes them work.
Reading about successes is good. Reading between the lines is better. I want us to be better and continue to improve our town. This month completes 25 years of service as a city councilman and mayor for me. Over that time I hope we have helped our town become better off than when we came.
A friend of mine told me that "those who are the happiest seem to be ones who serve others and serving others is the highest form of leadership." Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
--Mayor Harold Rainwater