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Getting history straight during trip to Europe

When I write one of these, it’s like sewing a rug. I take a bunch of ideas and stitch them together till I have a column that I can shake outside and put on the floor. Today, I have a lot of loose ends. These are remnants from our trip to Europe in June. Instead of rug, it might come out looking like a bunch of rags. We spent a week in the Czech Republic and a week in Poland with two daughters, a son-in-law, and a 10-year-old grandson. Part of that was seeking ancestral places. Part of it was touristing. Both those countries were behind the Iron Curtain 50 years ago when I ...

Railroads anchored the economy of rural America

In our local area Labor Day corresponds to railroads and Tracy’s annual Box Car Days. It’s a very appropriate connection because of how railroads shaped our region, its farms and our communities. Development happened quickly in the late 19th century. It was spurred by rail expansion. Our town street configurations were based on railroad designs. We had through towns with development on both sides of the tracks and T-towns, which had a street parallel to the tracks and a Main Street branching off. Residential blocks were laid out on both sides of the business district. There ...

Patience is a virtue when waiting for government to do its thing

In early July, this column focused on a report delivered by Marshall Police Chief Jim Marshall to Downtown Business Association members. The subject of community policing and the successful working relationship established with downtown retailers was brought up. Marshall’s report led to discussion on scooters and bicycle riders moving at sometimes high speeds on downtown sidewalks. "I still see scooters downtown," one member was quoted in the column. "I've personally seen them going down the sidewalk. Sometimes they're two on them. I see one of the non-classified e-motos, the ...

You can help save a life by asking the question

When it comes to depression and suicidality, saving a life can begin with a caring conversation. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the courage you show when you talk to someone who’s struggling might be lifesaving to a friend or family member. Around one in 20 people have considered taking their own life in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Close to 50,000 people die by suicide in the U.S. every year. Professionals in behavioral health care often refer to stigma that doesn’t exist for physical conditions like a broken ...

DIY distress

There are several three-lettered acronyms that invoke anxiety, such as FBI, IRS, and IOU. An acronym that should be added to that list is DIY. “Do it yourself” sounds seductively simple. While there are numerous things that people should definitely do themselves — such as blowing their nose — there are some undertakings that should be relegated to professionals. Brain surgery is a good example of something that should never be a DIY project. But just because a thing is beyond a person’s skill level and would likely tax his patience doesn’t mean that some guys won’t ...

Choosing progress over perfection in city projects

“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” has been a phrase stated in government as a reminder that progress over perfection is important to the greater good of the community. In practice this mindset can help us as a city focus on our goals and ensure long-term success, whether it be for a planning tool, policy or a significant capital project. In particular, public construction projects are by far the most complex and challenging and often where we receive the most disagreement on whether the project is taking the right path forward. Some of the reasons we have extra scrutiny ...