Running for Town Council / Good Things Being Done

I really don't want to send the idea that I disagree with every decision that the Town Council and others in Dexter have made, or that if elected I will simply spend my time complaining. Therefore, I would like to spend some time in this blog post expressing my praise concerning a few changes that have taken place over the past few years. The first is the new computer network that was installed at the Town office, and the second are the musical groups that have been featured at the Wayside Park every week during the summer months (yes there are more than two things, but for the sake of space in this post I will limit it to two). A big part of the praise for these changes have to go to Judy Doore, who recently resigned as Town Manager of Dexter.

Prior to Judy fighting for the new network, the Town employees worked on 10 year old computers with Windows 98 installed. The server was a 20 year old mainframe. For those who understand computers you already realize, without knowing anything about the hardware, that these systems were extremely limited in what they could do. Thanks to the major upgrade, the Town employees are networked on up-to-date computers, have a file server for housing and sharing files, can communicate more effectively, and at the end of the day provide a much better service to the Town. A nice "side dish" of having the network in place is the ability to provide wireless communication. This allows groups like the Career Center to work with displaced workers, and help provide training and resources to them. This would not be possible under the old network. I believe that most displaced and unemployed residents in Dexter actually want to work and provide for their families but can't seem to get the help that they need. This service helps them do just that. My hat goes off to Judy, the Career Center, and all others involved in this endeavor. If elected to serve on the Town Council, I would do everything in my power to ensure this service stays intact and possibly even expanded to provide ongoing training.

The second bit of praise I would like to give concerns the musical performances that have taken place at the Wayside Park every Tuesday evening over the summer months. For those who did not get the opportunity to attend, you missed one great performance after another. Once again, Judy Doore played a bit part in getting this program off the ground. It allows Dexter and the surrounding communities the chance to showcase the hidden talent that would go unnoticed otherwise. Every performance I attended had people from all ages and several surrounding communities. What a great way of getting people to visit Dexter, eat in our restaurants, buy fuel and other items at our stores, and see just how much there is to offer here. As a Town Council member I would do my best to keep this program going and possibly expand it. If anyone has pictures of the 2008 summer performances, or you are a local artist who performed and would like me to post pictures and links to your websites, feel free to forward them to me and I'll do my best to link it to my blog.

As far as my blog posting go, I hope to add one per week. If you are interested in getting the latest posting I would recommend "subscribing" to my blog. This is a simple procedure that notifies you when new content is available. If you are using Internet Explorer, simply look at the top for the RSS subcribe button (that looks like this picture) Click on it, and when the menu comes up, click on the "Subscribe to this blog". From that point you only need to visit your Favorites and look under the Feeds button and I'll be there under Downtown Dexter. If that completely confused you, let me know and I'll devote an entire blog posting on how to subscribe to different RSS feeds online.

Thanks again for all the feedback you have been giving me. Since deciding to run for Town Council I have had phone calls, emails, and have been stopped on the street by people who think it is time for Dexter to take a new direction. Feel free to use this blog to post your concerns and wishes and I will try to focus an entire posting on it. I hope to have a new blog up on Monday September 15 and every Monday thereafter. Finally, don't be bashful about sending this blog to those you know, especially if they live in and around Dexter. Simply look for the Email Post icon that directly below this. It is the picture of the envelope with the arrow on it. Click on that and follow the steps to email it to others.