As I reflected on my comments for this newsletter, I cannot escape the fact that on November 8, late in the evening, I was gifted with serving this community for four more years. While bittersweet in that I know my time serving our community is limited, I am comfortable with that fact. That gift this community has blessed me with has had me more reflective than usual and I have decided to make that the theme this month. Not just because of the holiday season, but we as a community simply need to increase our levels of gifting to one another to make us stronger moving forward.
I believe that gifts come in three basic forms. The first we usually think of is monetary, or our treasures or finances. Gifting our treasures has become more difficult in our current times of inflation, and increasing prices on almost everything around us.
Another form of gifting comes in the shape of talent. An example of the gift of talent is our residents and business leaders who serve on committees and boards for the City. So many of these people lend their unique expertise which only makes our boards and committees better than before. Their talents are a gift that makes our community stronger.
The third form in which a gift could come is that of time. It’s those residents who take time to check in on one another or offer their time clearing snow for a neighbor. So, as you can see there are impactful ways you can share your gifts with our community.
As we enter the holiday season, I challenge our community to ask what you will gift to others. Thank you again for the gifts you have blessed me with during my time in office. My commitment to all of you remains in giving my time, talents, and treasures to this community. Whether a resident or a business, we appreciate you making the choice to call Walker home.
I wish all of you, your families, and friends a Merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday seasons.
Mayor Gary Carey, Jr.
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