InTucker Magazine

From the Mayor

A great community. Every city wants one, and most say they have it. But what is it, and how do you create and nurture one?

Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into a great community than what the city government can do, but as one of our core responsibilities, we are constantly seeking ways to strengthen our community and our quality of life.

The foundation of community is relationships – Relationships between and among all our citizens, be they neighbors, businesses, churches, schools, local government, or our many non-profit and volunteer organizations. It’s all wrapped up in the phrase you’ve heard me use many times: Live, Work, Play and Pray. The more we can do all of those things right here in our hometown, the more and stronger relationships we build, and the stronger our community becomes. Increasing the frequency, quantity and quality of the interactions between all those citizens strengthens the bonds between us, and that’s good for everyone.

It’s why we have festivals and concerts in our parks and on Main Street. In fact, it’s why we’re always building and expanding our parks. It’s why we offer sports leagues and hundreds of other opportunities at our Rec Center. It’s the same reason our businesses like to hire local talent, and it’s why our churches and volunteers serve locally with such passion. It’s why our local businesses invest in themselves but give back to our community.

Part of what we do to encourage this kind of community strength and spirit is to recognize those who make a special effort. For the last seven years, I’ve given a Mayor’s Business Award to a local business who has not only made significant contributions to our community, but who has sustained their efforts over a significant period of time. Recipients have included Local 7, Cofer Brothers, FODAC, Northlake, Siggers and Handy Ace Hardware. I’ll be presenting this year’s award later this month to another very deserving recipient.

We also recognize a large group representing all our community volunteers at an annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner that will also take place this month. Many of our volunteers work quietly and even anonymously, which means we can’t recognize them all. Instead, we lean on leaders of many such organizations to attend and represent the amazing work that goes on every day in Tucker. We hope that by doing so, even those who don’t seek credit or recognition will get the clear message that we know their work and we never take it for granted. We appreciate every minute and every dollar spent toward strengthening our community.

All our citizens can and should appreciate every decision made by every individual to do the small things that make us strong. Shopping local, going to events at the parks and schools, even just a friendly wave from the car or the sidewalk builds us up. Helping a neighbor with a chore or a meal, recommending a local service provider and an occasional kind word about law enforcement and emergency responders encourages everyone and reminds us of all we have to be grateful for. Thanks for doing your part.