Letter to the editor: Write-in candidate for Beaver Bay mayor

Talk about it

I am asking for your vote. Please write in Barbara Sterett when you cast your vote on Election Day for mayor of Beaver Bay. I care very much about our city and felt honored to serve three terms. My goal was to build a Community Center. Along with a progressive City Council, we were able to hire an architect and builder, obtain grant money, donations and financing for our project. Beaver Bay is the oldest settlement on the North Shore and it finally has its Community Center. In addition, we worked to bring in Cove Point Lodge, built a new addition to the Green Door and brought it into compliance with the American Disabilities Act. We also blacktopped all the streets.

Beaver Bay has always been a volunteer community. For years, the entire community gathered to work for the annual smelt fry to raise money for the fire department. Neighbors cared for neighbors. We gathered together to make the playground ready for the season. We had group clean up days. Volunteers cared for the cemetery, took care of Parks and Recreation and general needs within the city. Times have changed.

Some have felt dismissed. We experienced a major upheaval in our town. We have watched employee after employee start and leave, contracts issued to businesses that do not benefit our community and the value of our history being challenged. It is true that our city is growing and changing. Change can be a good thing, as long as everyone feels they have value in their community. I have served on the Liquor Commission for the past year. Our goal has been to find ways to increase profits, remodel (keeping its history in mind) and once again become a place where we can all gather and feel proud. One way to feel valued is to keep our history alive. Our parents and grandparents hands touched those walls before us.

Therefore, I am asking for your vote. I want to be part of the healing of our city. Let’s welcome some of the newer community residents that have come forward to volunteer their time. Tell them about the history of Beaver Bay and why it is important to us. Perhaps we can all return to neighbors caring for their neighbors.

Tags: opinion