ROOT: So nice when it works

May 06, 2008 02:45 pm

— The first thing an egomaniac such as myself searches for is a public outlet for my opinions and stories. Once an outlet was found then I took to the task of trying to get people to stop and think instead of just blindly accepting things for what they appear to be. Every once in a while, in order to get people to really think, I have to point out things that may not be pleasant to think about but the hope is that when faced with some uncomfortable information people will go out and react to change it.
If that means that some folks look at me as some sort of bad guy then I can live with that. My love for my hometown outweighs any vanity I may have that would possess me to want to make sure that everyone likes me. However even I have been a little overwhelmed lately at exactly how broad-reaching my audience actually is and how personally some people take what I say. That is not going to temper or soften what I say, it just means that now I have a higher level of confidence that the things I say may some day be the root cause for good things to happen.
I like downtown dressed in purple. I think that the organizers of the Relay For Life, and the students of DeSales, have done a wonderful job at rallying the businesses downtown to unite for a cause. I was especially glad to see the bank completely dressed in purple. When I first saw it a couple of days ago I had no idea what was going on. After a little reading I found out what the purple was for and I set out to drive that strip of Main Street a few more times just to see it again. It is awesome. I certainly hope the organizers are able to reach their goals for this campaign and I also hope that the businesses downtown can stay this united in the cause of keeping our downtown momentum going.
Momentum? Yes, I said momentum. As the town prepares for the great Wal-Mart switcheroo the city seems to be growing and all of the combined efforts of developers and city planners seem to be coming together rather nicely.
Much of the really good stuff is still rumors right now. I hear rumors of a huge ice skating and entertainment facility in downtown which would be very welcome. A prominent local food retailer may be taking up residence downtown as well which will definitely make a lot of city residents happy. I used to get excited about rumors but ever since the flurry of rumors a couple of years ago regarding the parking ramp on Main Street I have learned to take a wait and see approach but I would be one of those people that would welcome downtown improvements with a great deal of enthusiasm.
One of the positive developments downtown was a huge surprise to me and I love it when Lockport businesses become successful and prove me wrong. The two new restaurants downtown that occupy side by side locations in the new Ulrich City Center seem to be a huge success. Each time I have driven by them, whether it be noon or midnight, they are both very busy. I think it is time I stopped in to one of those places and ate my words. I am hoping that my words will be quite tasty.
So it looks like we are beginning to put catalysts in place that can finally grow a better Lockport. Downtown Lockport is coming to life and we all stand to benefit a great deal from that. Now Lockportians can have a complete night out without ever having to leave the city. Hopefully we will see practical retailers move in to some of those abandoned storefronts on Main Street and make downtown Lockport self sufficient once again.
Successful businesses, and a thriving night life full of people that are just out to enjoy themselves, are a large part of what makes a small town safer. Criminals hate happy and successful businesses that seem to be able to unite for a common cause and it certainly appears as if we are headed in that direction.
The egomaniac in me wants to think that my motivating words may have some small hand in what is going on but I doubt it. However if it makes some folks happy to focus negative energy on me then I can live with that. Being the focus of scorn is a small price to pay to motivate people to make some sort of impact on the revitalization of a city that I love so much.
George N. Root III is a Lockport resident. His column runs every Wednesday. Send comments to georgeroot@verizon.net.

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