I am often asked, “What is the best thing about being Mayor”?
This is my answer, “I get to meet the most giving and generous people in town”. It is amazing to meet all these people that are TRULY making a difference. It makes what I do look small in comparison.
Midland has to be one of the most giving places in the country. These folks don’t wait on government to solve problems; they take it upon themselves to do it. They see a need, then THEY solve it. Sometimes the city will step in and partner with them if they need us, but most times they just go to work and make the difference.
In the past few days here are some of the meetings from my calendar:
Friends of the Police Department organized a service honoring fourteen fallen officers in the State of Texas plus three officers from Midland, one died in 1935 and two in 1961 all in the line of duty.
The Salvation Army is working to solve our homeless problem after successfully organizing the 30-degree project this past winter.
A grandfather (with his two grand daughters) is working to have a small performing arts facility for them to practice ballet, and looking for other groups so efforts are not duplicated.
A new sports organization at a private school wants to be able to provide their students with the best education as possible, physical, spiritual and intellectual. They are all volunteers
The Permian Basin Drug Task Force is a joint group that is working to solve Midland’s drug problem. (I didn’t make this meeting because of a conflict last Friday.)
The Texas Historical Commission launched a new brochure promoting tourism in West Texas. There were folks from all over the state, again volunteers to promote Midland and this part of West Texas.
The local version of the National Prayer breakfast was a gathering of folks from different segments of our community, youth, adults, families, churches and non profit organizations. People from all walks of life and cultures gathered and prayed together.
A local credit union gave scholarships to various students in Midland and Odessa for college. I met young people that inspire and lead and will be great future leaders.
In general my truly favorite thing is meeting with young people. They ask great questions and I’m impressed with their knowledge and dedication to making their world a better place. (They are so much further ahead than I remember we were, or maybe it’s just me.) If you worry about what our future holds, go to a school (any school), meet the students, spend time with them and you’ll be impressed, it always does my heart good to be with them.
That's what I love about being mayor!
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