The Mayor's Corner

Updated February 29, 2024
Matt
                                                               
 
The Mayor's Corner

March is often regarded by many New Englanders as the worst month. It’s an awful mix of winter’s worst characteristics: cold, stormy, muddy, and volatile. And it comes at a time when most New Englanders are fed up with every last bit of winter and desperate for the smallest crocus bloom or 50-degree day. Call me an idealist, but this is exactly why I love March. These hints of spring are often enough to seduce me into overlooking March’s many downsides and remembering that we made it through the worst of winter and that spring is just around the corner. March beckons in many positive things: the days get longer and the sun begins to set after 7:00 PM, the air starts to smells like spring, early spring flowers bloom, birds return, maple syrup is boiled, and we have as many warm spring days as we have cold gross ones! I find myself motivated to be outside once again, to clean my garden, take walks through the neighborhood, pick up trash, rake autumn’s leftover leaves, and hunt down every small spring bud that’s started to poke up through the soil. These small tasks keep me busy enough until spring truly begins.
 
When I tell others of my March-loving affliction I rarely get a sympathetic response. More often than not I hear “Are you serious?! March is the worst!” But I can’t help but try to encourage others to share in my love. Far too often, especially as New Englanders, we steep ourselves in the doldrums. Winter certainly makes this easier. But when presented with true signs of change, real examples of spring’s awakening, why not choose optimism?
 
So I enter into this March with a sense of excitement, opportunity, and optimism, and I ask that you do the same. Whichever winter stressors have frozen you, they will soon thaw. Whatever darkness has crept in and stagnated, brightness and warmth are nearly here. So grab a rake, shovel, trash bag, pen, pencil, walking shoes, book – whatever tools you use best to bide your time – and chip away at some small tasks while you wait. Make lemonade out of March’s lemons, because before you know it, we’ll have summer to start wishing away.
 
Over the next month or so, there are a number of important dates to keep in mind:
 
  • Thursday, March 7th at 6:00 PM, in City Hall – Superintendent Community Forum
  • Monday, March 18th at 6:00 PM, in City Hall – State of the City Address
  • Monday, March 18th at 7:00 PM, in City Hall – 2024-2025 City Budget Introduced to Somersworth City Council
  • Monday, April 1st at 6:00 PM, in City Hall – 2024-2025 City Budget Presentation by the City Manager
  • Saturday, April 6th at 8:30 AM, in City Hall – 2024-2025 City Budget Workshop for the City Council
Please reach out if you have any questions about these events! As the City Council begins working on the 2024-2025 City Budget, it is important that you communicate your wishes and concerns either in-person or electronically. Contact information for myself and the members of the Somersworth City Council can be found HERE. And remember, like with all things this March, I encourage you to lead with excitement, opportunity, and optimism.

 

Thank you again for everything you do for our City!
Mayor Matt Gerding