A year ago, I knew very little about Cabot. I couldn’t name the mayor, or a single city council person. I didn’t think my voice mattered, or that my opinion was wanted. My time was valuable and attending a city council meeting was not a priority.
I started realizing Cabot has the potential to be more than a bedroom community. This city could be a tourist destination. It’s an excellent location for a farm to table restaurant. An educational makerspace would compliment our excellent schools and thrive here. Why not? Anything is possible.
Last fall, I told my husband that we were going to make this city our home and turn it into everything we want it to be! (His loving gaze suggested he was a bit skeptical.)
I started attending city meetings: City Council, City Planning, A&P. So. Many. Meetings. I wanted to be a part of the conversation that shapes our community.
My opinion of our civic leaders is that they want to do what’s best for our city. They love it when citizens show up and give input into the issues they’re deliberating, and every meeting has a time for community input.
I promise that a city council meeting is not the most thrilling time you’ll have, but will you commit to attending just one city council meeting in the next few months? The meetings are always published on the City of Cabot’s Facebook page – they are usually the 1st (work session) and 3rd (official meeting) Mondays of the month. All are open to the public and are held at the city annex – downtown by the railroad tracks. A year ago, I didn’t see myself attending a city council meeting. But, a few weeks ago, I steadied my nerves, approached the podium, spoke to our city council people, and I made a difference.
Will you join me? I’ll see you there.