Pictured (left to right): Greater Farmington Area Chamber President Mary Engleman, DDA President Greg Cowley, Farmington Mayor Valerie Knol, DDA Board members Diane Cassidy, Michelle Jakacki and Steve Schneeman (Main Street Design Committee chair), Farmington City Councilmember Mike Wiggins.
Of all the words spoken about Downtown Farmington’s Streetscape project at today’s ribbon cutting celebration, one story will stay with me a long time.
The road to this project has been full of twists and turns, not the least of which was a petition drive that prompted a vote to approve bonds for the project. Leading that charge were Hank and Betty Borgman, long-time Farmington residents who voiced opposition to the project from the time it first became a topic of discussion. Hank and Betty spent weeks going door to door and standing in front of the Farmington Post Office to gather the necessary signatures and then campaign against the bond approval.
On many of those days, they were joined by Downtown Development Authority board member Diane Cassidy, who campaigned as passionately in favor of the project as they worked against it. These three people could have been at each other’s throats. They could have ignored each other, worked on opposite sides of the street.
Instead, they greeted each other warmly. They hugged. And Betty gave Diane her scarf and gloves, so Diane could stand a little while longer in the cold.
That’s Farmington. And when it’s not, that’s what Farmington should be.
–JH-G
Despite the (typical Michigan dreadful) weather, Saturday was a great day, the kids had BIG fun and while the sidewalks weren’t quite finished, the city looked BEAUTIFUL and you could feel the positive energy all over town.
Great local story – I wish all communities could be like this one!