February 9, 1999
 
 
 

Carrier's State of the City

Mayor Carrier's State of the City address at last night's City Council meeting pointed to progress made in areas of public concerns, disappointments over what might have been in some of them, and aspirations for projects in progress.

It was, in other words, what one comes to expect of such formal appraisals --- optimism tempered by realities, projected in a positive appraisal for the future.

As Carrier pointed out, despite differences, despite setbacks, there has been progress on several fronts, disappointments on others and enough open questions remaining to extend hope for favoable dispositions.

Earlier in the evening however, Councilor Karen Kelley, in presenting an historic perpective on the occasion of the 235th anniversary of the first town meeting of Newburyport, made an observation concerning the role of government and leadership when she raised the question of how Newburyport is to look in the next century.

It was a significant question because it was raised on the very night when the city's mayor presented her view of what the city looks like today.

As to the future, the city's residents will share a journey together to another time. The challenge is what each may do to contribute to that destiny.

The answer to the challenge reaches into the substance of citizenship, something in which the members of the City Council, this mayor and those members of the community who are involving themselves will help to determine.

But they cannot remain apart as designated players on a public stage without creating an environment of separation.

Two presentations, that of Councilor Kelley and the State of the City address by Mayor Carrier, were, in each of their contexts, summations and challenges.

Those who have chosen to reside in Newburyport, to spend at least a portion of their lives in the city, owe it to themselves, to those who have brought the city to its present place in time and posterity, to participate.

Despite our editorial criticisms concerning what has, and has not, taken place during this administration and with this City Council, the state of the city is basically healthy.

Our continuing view is optimistic because of the talented people who live in the city (something pointed out by the mayor last night), because of the tradition of overcoming adversity, because of the feisty and involved citizenry, and because, inevitably, common sense and good judgment tend to prevail.

The players change, but the spirit moves on. How can the future not be promising?

 

(This article replicated online with permission of the Newburyport Daily News, an Eagle Tribune Newspaper.)

 
 
 
 
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