(The author, David Smith, is Mt. Gilead’s new manager. He’s agreed to write columns periodically in the Speckled Paw Times.) 

Over the past few weeks, I have heard the phrase “It’s good enough” on multiple occasions. Sadly, I heard this comment from a number of folks around town when talking about Mt. Gilead. I’m not sure the complete implication of this phrase, but I took it to mean that when looking at many of the potential areas of improvement for Mt. Gilead, some feel that what is here is “good enough.” I beg to differ! I feel that this response is totally out of line with a town with as much potential as Mt. Gilead. 

When I, as a newcomer with a different set of glasses, look around, I see that “good enough” is not ENOUGH! It is not enough that so much of our town is in need of cleaning up and some additional TLC. There are businesses in town that need to clean up and show that same pride of place as they do in their work and product. There are buildings in town that need cleaning up and put back into operation. Vacant, unused buildings are not “good enough” for they contribute negatively to the town. The town must continually look for ways to improve customer service, police protection and quality of life, because we cannot claim “good enough” as our mantra either. 

I am so excited about the leadership and actions of the mayor and Town Board to begin to look at projects that will afford Mt. Gilead the opportunity to move beyond any perception that we are just “good enough.” These projects include a new recreation committee, community appearance committee, improvements in water billing and collections, StreetScape projects starting with our town entryway signs, pocket parks along the Main Street corridor, looking to renovate town buildings for police, Public Works and Town Hall, and enhancing our communications. All are seen as moving ALL of Mt. Gilead forward toward perfection – more than “good enough” which, I believe, ALL of Mt. Gilead cares about. 

Also, becoming a part of long-range discussions with the county and towns about planning, economic development and quality of life issues is imperative to being proactive and more than “good enough.” The individual silos from the past must be broken down and a new era of cooperation must become the new standard of county/town cooperation.

As your town manager, I am always going to strive for perfection. I know that it may never be obtained, but nonetheless we must never settle for just “good enough.” Happy holidays!