Supervisor's Columns
Published: 7/21/2004
Perhaps you've noticed that my Supervisor's Column has been absent from the Brighton Pittsford Post over the last few weeks. In theory I have the ability to submit a column every other week except from September to November during an election year.
Since becoming Supervisor in 1994, I've written over 160 columns averaging about 15 a year. I write these columns myself and have had a lot of fun doing so. There are the typical columns written on priorities for a New Year and end of year review of accomplishments. There have also been columns on budgets, community events, planning and zoning issues, volunteer appreciation and inter-municipal cooperation.
The newspaper column has also been a good vehicle for me to communicate to you on specific issues. Numerous articles have been written on the Greenprint to discuss the evolution of the policy as well as its implementation. I have written on operational issues pertaining to roadwork, reorganization issues, snow plowing, reassessment, as well as recreation and senior citizens programs.
The Supervisor's Column has also given me an opportunity to acknowledge volunteer organizations and events in the community. Articles have recognized the Pittsford Volunteer Fire Department, Pittsford Ambulance, Red Ribbon Week, Driver Safety Week, Walk to Seek a Miracle to name a few.
Like any writer, from time to time I face a dry spell - "writer's block." Over the years I have discovered that some of my best inspiration for column themes has come from residents. For example, someone may ask me a question I feel would be good to address to a broader audience.
One column that specifically comes to mind was titled "What Do They Do In a Winter Like This?" The column was written in the midst of a very mild winter and answered the question about what our Highway Department personnel was doing in the absence of the need to plow or salt. A number of people had asked about that and I assumed the same question was on a lot of your minds.
Sometimes columns are stimulated by specific events. One year I wrote a column about the shift from winter activities into the spring cleanup of yard debris. The very next column was entitled "Just When You Thought It Was Over" since we had a snowfall of over 8 inches and had to convert our fleet back to snow plowing and delay our yard debris collection.
The long and short of this column is that I would like to ask for your help in generating ideas and inspiration for future Supervisor's Columns. I would love to hear about what topics might be of interest to you. It can be about specific town services or town departments. It can be about general issues regarding town government.
If you have ideas for a column, please feel free to email them to me, call me at 248-6220 or drop me a note in the mail to 11 So. Main Street, Pittsford 14534.
Other Supervisor columns are available here.