ccagle@cityofeatonrapids.gov

MAYORS CORNER

     JUNE 15^TH

    2021

As I look out my office window I see “life” in abundance, a far cry from last year at this time. People are sitting in front of Moo-ville eating ice cream. There is a couple having lunch on the front patio at Darb’s. There is a line at the walk up window at Las Flores.  People are walking down the street and kids are riding their bikes.  There is actually traffic backed up, just a little, on Main St.  We have persevered and adapted to a new way of doing things.  You may ask yourself “Will it ever be the same?”  Short answer “No it won’t.” Our Country, over the last 15 or so months, has gone through some profound changes.

A pandemic swept our nation. It caused both human and economic devastation on several fronts. Loved ones were lost. Many without having the comfort of family at their sides. Businesses and livelihoods were dealt a crushing blow because of safety concerns. Travel was banned between houses.  It was as if we were in prison, viewing our tiny corner of the world via a computer or television screen or the windows in our homes. But slowly and surely, as Americans often do, we are re-capturing what was briefly lost. It may not look exactly the same but that doesn’t mean it is better or worse, just different than what we are used to.

We survived a tempestuous election.  It was almost like the Civil War. Neighbor against neighbor and brother against brother.  The only difference was the reason for the upheaval. A lack of tolerance, understanding and a refusal to accept other points of view.  In the end, I hope that the PRIDE that we have in our country over shadows the desperation and we unite to share our sameness and celebrate our uniqueness and differences.

Speaking of PRIDE. I hope you took the time to attend the first, of what I hope will be an annual event, on Saturday June 12^th at Howe Field.  This event, hosted by Lee Carmody, featured food, music, facepainting, a bean bag toss tournament, good conversation and plenty of information about and for Eaton Rapids.  It was the opportunity to celebrate diversity in its many forms.  While we may be diverse we are, after all, all human beings.  That is the one thing that truly is shared.

I wish to take this opportunity to say Thank you to Pastor Marty Debow.  Marty has served his community for several years as the Pastor at the Eaton Rapids Methodist Church.  For those of you that don’t know, his wife Cindy, is a Counselor at the VFW Home.  For several years Marty has been a fixture at our City Council meetings where he would deliver his invocation. Marty is also a long time member of the Eaton Rapids Rotary Club and also serves on the Eaton Rapids Medical Center Hospital board.  One of the tenets of Rotary is “Service above self.” Both he and Cindy have filled that role a million times over.  I bid him well in his retirement, of which I’m sure will be short lived.

The Eaton Rapids River Recreation sub-committee is planning on hosting a kayak/canoe water event on July 24^th at 11:00 am.  It will be open to all ages and equipment may be available for use.  Keep an eye open for additional information.

The Independence Day celebration is quickly approaching. There will be activities on both Saturday the 3^rd and Sunday the 4^th.  Arrive early and stay late.  Most of the activities will be taking place at either Howe Memorial Field or Martin Hansen Amphitheater on W. Knight St. Watch the City Facebook page, website and this publication for more information.

This Sunday, June 20^th, is Father’s Day. Talk about diversity. Fathers are as diverse as the species.  No two alike but all have something in common, the love that they have for their children. Even in our darkest hours we, as fathers, can be cheered by those cherubic gazes or an impish grin. A homemade card or that special sea shell emblazoned with the words “I love you daddy.”  Fathers, this Sunday, celebrate your children for who and what they have given you. The chance to be called a father.

As always I bid you Peace and hope you continue to call Eaton Rapids home and make it a great place to live, raise your family and recreate.

Paul