We’re on a hot streak
Our community is on what sports fans might call “a hot streak.” Sure, the temperature spiked last week to a more normal range for August, yet this week is starting out on the cooler side. Thankfully. I’m sure we’ll get some residual spinoff from Hurricane Ida as well. The forecast is calling for cooler temperatures this week but not much rain.
We shift into a fall mode with the Labor Day holiday this week – traditionally the end of summer – even though the first day of fall is Sept. 22 this year. And no, fall does not always begin on Sept. 22. Sometimes it is Sept. 23 and on rare occasions it can be Sept. 21 or 24.
The list of positives happening in our community right now – and looking ahead – is too much to list. It’s been a long time since that has happened. These things do not happen overnight and many of them have been bubbling for several years. They are exciting and potentially community altering events as the right circumstances are lining up like the proverbial stars in the sky.
From several new businesses opening to companies adding physical capacity and employees, growth is happening in the manufacturing sector, the private sector and exciting things are possible in the government sector. Upcoming issues of The Beacon will provide more details about several of these happenings and the potential upside. The most pressing issue this fall is the opportunity we will have as a community to decide on a new justice center. This has been a need for a very long time – in fact, the time is past for this to become a reality. Again, upcoming issues will provide more details.
As if any of you need any reminders, the Buckeyes open the 2021 football season on the road against Minnesota this Thursday, Sept. 2 with a night game scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff. The Buckeyes start the season in a very comfortable number four spot in the rankings with – of course – Alabama at number one. Oklahoma is number two and Clemson number three. The Buckeyes home opener against Oregon on Sept. 11 looms large with the Ducks a pre-season number 11.
The emphasis of our Labor Day holiday gets short-changed when it stacks up against Memorial Day, July 4, Veteran’s Day and others. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, under President Grover Cleveland. Cleveland created the holiday to celebrate American workers and their achievements. During the boom times of the Industrial Revolution, many Americans, and especially immigrants, worked 12-hour days, seven days a week just to make a living. Children did not escape this although they were paid a small token of what adult workers earned.
To be clear, the first Labor Day was observed in New York City in 1882 following the deaths of 13 workers during the Pullman strike. Thankfully we have come a long way since then. Let’s remember those that provide our food, electricity, garbage disposal, transportation, housing, entertainment, health care, law enforcement, fire safety and more. Many of these people will be working on this holiday – let’s remember and thank them for their sacrifices. Thank You.
Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion
