It was a blessing to me to see the outpouring of celebrations for our American soldiers this last Veterans Day as well as seeing the outpouring of voters across our country leading up to and on Election Day. Whether your political party won or lost, we need to come together as a country and try to be united across cultural, racial, political, gender, and religious beliefs. A house divided cannot stand. For decades I was warned that America would not be defeated by an outside enemy but a crumbling from within. As wars and rumors of wars occur around the world, we must stand together in faith that our Founding Fathers’ writing of the Constitution will guide and support us through the many challenges that come between our multiple differences. We are a “melting pot” of peoples from all corners of the world. A REPUBLIC takes work…working together to make it work! Our attitude, I believe, should be one of standing together and considering others’ beliefs while holding on to what we believe. We cannot legislate nor force others to believe the way we think they should. Freedom, that Americans have fought for almost 250 years, calls for us to be tolerant and respectful of others that may differ from another’s. That is, we can’t demand our way as the only way. A great thing about America is that we have the freedom to vote and if Americans, as a majority, don’t like a leader and how they lead, (at all levels of government), we can vote them out.
Bowling Green is having new businesses start and come into our amazing community almost monthly. Businesses like: Lighten Up Electric on Church Street, High Ridge Taxidermy on Hwy 54 West, Tek Ici Hibachi on Bus. Hwy 61 South, Norton’s Brew on North Main Cross, Natalie Grigsby County Financial on North Main, just to mention a few most recently. Welcome our new businesses and services and SHOP LOCAL to support and build these wonderful opportunities within our town. Promote them by word of mouth-it’s the best and cheapest form of advertising. As we lose Ingram’s Plumbing after some 50 years and Save-A-Lot, we need to replace them with other similar businesses. Small business loans are predicted to be more available with cheaper interest rates as the new administration comes into effect. If you’ve ever wanted to own your own business or invest in one, build up your courage, investigate the possibilities, encourage your adult age children to come back to Bowling Green and raise their family here as they bring their profession and talents home. I’ve written many times that co-ops, (joint efforts, business partners), are a modern way to fulfill your dreams.
It may take a while for me to get used to the combined Times Newspaper, but it does give awareness of activities in other towns. Congrats to the Football Bobcats, cheerleaders, marching band and their coaches.
Written by: Mayor Jim Arico