All is well...

I was driving back to work last night and pulled off the road to take this picture. It captured the concept for me that there is beauty in all things if we can only take a few moments to enjoy them.

It also suggests that the end of a day or of a career is the beginning of a new day or a new career elsewhere. We just need to keep our eyes and minds open for the next opportunity to serve elsewhere.

I have more work to do than I ever imagined. I have a great team to work with and I find more creative people in my environment every day.

I am continually inspired by the concept of sustainable economic development. It is an economic idea whose time has come. It embraces the Luddites in our county and the cutting-edge geeks who see that life does not have to be sacrificed for speed. It also embraces those who seek to farm in ways that enhance the land instead of depleting it.

Instinctively, we all realize at some level that we need to find a way to keep this county green and develop a lifestyle that allows our best and brightest children to build a satisfying and prosperous life here instead of leaving for better opportunities in less harmonious places.

We have an abundance of creative and public-spirited people living in this county and a number of programs in place which can open the door to new economic realities.

I feel very fortunate to have arrived at such a propitious time. It feels very much like there is an convergence of activities and people which is going to transform Floyd in some significant way.

Our biggest task will be to channel the transformation in a way that gives us new economic opportunities while preserving those qualities which make Floyd so desirable.