Something You Need to Do

I spent a weekend with 8 longtime friends. We grew up and went to high school together and had been planning this visit for about 4 months. We called it, "The Year we Turn 50
Celebration." When you get with people you haven't been around in a while you assume they are the same people you remember. My buddies were. But it was interesting to watch and listen as we talked about raising kids, politics, the economy-all these issues that escaped us when we were 16 years old. We all turned out different in some ways. The best example was when 3 of us went shopping for food for the rest of the group. But the best part about our visit was I realized how important these people were in my life. And its not that I never knew that. But it was reaffirmed. Even though I hardly see most of the guys they represent a special time in my life. It made me appreciate them and me even more. We all have our struggles and challenges, and success stories. It's something I strongly recommend you do-whether its college friends, or high school chums. It will remind you who you were, but more importantly who you now are. Those 8 buddies are priceless to me-people i can always count on in good times and bad. I hope you are as lucky as me and have friends like that. Plan a get together with them. Life's too short not to do it.

Tine to Grow Up.

Finally, finally, someone comes up with the idea we should change to a strong mayoral form of city government. Yes Yes and Yes. Its about time. City Manager government is for small towns, which, in my opinion, we have wrestled with in this city (yes, city) for years. Is Colorado Springs a small town, or a city? Many voters act as if its a small town and I believe it has hurt us from growing, and attracting new business. Mayoral governments hold people accountable, but at the same time give the mayor and city council more power, which is what they need. We have a part-time city government at the moment. You're kidding me? We are a city of 375,000 people. The men and women who make up our city government are fine people and work hard. Changing to a mayoral form of government gives Colorado Springs a chance to grow, a chance to positively change the dynamics of this city.