This Wednesday, I have the honor of hosting Lt. Governor John Fetterman and showing him our beautiful community. During the visit, we will be discussing everything about Lansdale and what makes it a great place to live, work, and play, while also giving him the chance to interact with residents and business owners to further understand what Lansdale needs to continue to grow into the future.
Undoubtedly, the last two years have been a challenge. Between the ongoing, but hopefully receding, pandemic and the ensuing inflation, Lansdale, and the greater North Penn area, is hungry to reemerge and get back on the track of growth and development that we were on prior to these events. However, re-emerging as a community, much less a state, is going to be difficult and it is going to have its ups and downs. We will need partnership at all levels of government to be successful and it is critical to bring partners into the community to have their stories shared directly with those who can help bring about this growth with us.
My focus as mayor has been, and will continue to be, building and re-building our community to meet the needs and expectations of our kids. Building a Lansdale of the future will benefit generations to come while also improving our community today. I believe Lt. Governor Fetterman shares this view of the world and has actively engaged in helping bring about a tomorrow that is more economically secure, greener, and more inclusive. All of which are projects we have worked on locally here in Lansdale. However, to further explore larger projects like municipal 5G, green energy independence, and comprehensive infrastructure redevelopment, we need to have elected officials beyond our area see our community firsthand so they can share our vision of what every community in Pennsylvania can be with the right kinds of investment.
As a community, we are not interested in hearing people constantly explain to us why something can’t be done. We value the doer of deeds. We value the person in the arena fighting. “Who is willing to have their face marred with dust, sweat, and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs; […] who at the best knows the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” On Wednesday, when I show the Lt. Governor our community, I am certain these values and beliefs will come out in spades, and I am excited for him to see how passionate we are in-person.
Looking into the future, I see Lansdale as a community that can continue to thrive through continued redevelopment and investment in our infrastructure, our downtown, and our residents. While we have achieved much locally, it is critical that we bring other communities and the state along with us. The welfare of each of us is dependent on the welfare of all of us. So, while we work tirelessly to re-invent ourselves, we must also tell our stories to those who need to hear them so that their support and their wider view might align with the direction we are headed.
If you see John and I walking the street this week, don’t be afraid to step up and be heard. Share your story, your hopes, your fears, and your passions with us. We need to hear them so that we can continue to work diligently to build a Lansdale that is marching forward together.
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert.)
See also:
Mayoral Musings: Lansdale Electric Holds The Line As Rates Rise
Mayoral Musings: Lansdale Police Annual Report Preview
Mayoral Musings: A Quick Rundown of Lansdale’s Snow Plowing Procedures
Mayoral Musings: Snow Alert Parking
Mayoral Musings: COVID-19 Testing Site Returning to Lansdale
