The author, David Smith, is Mt. Gilead town manager.
So many exciting things are taking place in Mt. Gilead and I feel blessed to be a part of them. I want to thank the mayor and board for their support and direction and the community of businesses and residents who have embraced a new excitement for Mt. Gilead’s future. We are moving forward!
Over the past few weeks we have had some forward movement with regard to prospective new business development, residential development, efforts in communicating a new image for Mt. Gilead – with a new logo (above) and newsletter – and the first meetings of the Appearance Commission and Recreation Committee were held with great excitement. Lots of beautification is coming! Lots of recreation is coming! The downtown merchants hosted a great event, GALentine’s, on Thursday. Food trucks are visiting weekly, a community garden is being planned. There is so much happening in Mt. Gilead! I continue to learn and I know that there are some basic principles that we must continue to build upon. Here are some thoughts:
I feel that relationships are crucial to building a community that welcomes all its residents. Relationships build from the words we use that give a perception to other people, the attitude of the community in the appearance of its Main Street and neighborhoods, and how we talk about our community and the people who live there. Relationships are formed by the choices we make to welcome all people to our organizations, schools, churches and businesses. We ALL are community builders.
I see engagement as the process a community uses to hear all of its residents’ voices. When leaders identify and open safe common places for all citizens to come together and, in a non-judgmental environment, voice opinions on issues that have been “swept under the rug” for years, engagement happens. When all people feel that they are valued as a person and can have their values and voices heard, understood and included in decision making, that’s public engagement that will go a long way toward building community civility and health.
I think entrepreneurship is an attitude with action. A great percentage of all jobs are created by existing businesses and new business startups. Mt. Gilead would be wise to recognize this fact and act boldly by focusing on businesses already present and encouraging new ones. We have vacant space but we need willing landowners to help in the process because there are aspiring businesses waiting for a chance. Entrepreneurs need to be supported in their passion, purpose, vision and goals, for they are the small-business lifeblood of the future Mt. Gilead. Entrepreneurship can be key in revitalizing families and addressing workforce issues. Mt. Gilead’s actions must be entrepreneurial to meet community needs and recognize the benefits a new business idea can bring to Mt. Gilead’s vitality. When a person chooses to start a business, they need community support to have a chance at being successful.
And, finally, I see the need for great collaboration which is bringing together the multiple ideas and missions of others in working toward a shared vison. A collaborative leadership will focus more on how people work together across functional and organizational boundaries. We are all in this life together.
There’s MORE! As always you can contact me at manager@mtgileadnc.com
Blessings to you all!