Norwich, Ct has a difficult time completing projects. For example, in 2011 the lower level courtyard of the city hall was named for abolitionist David Ruggles who spent most of his childhood in the Yantic portion of Norwich before moving on to New York City and later making a home and opening a business in Florence, Massachusetts . The Connecticut Department of Culture and Tourism has even had enough time to add the site to its Freedom Trail brochure. You know that did not happen overnight. There have been numerous ceremonies and dedications for everything from the grass used in the landscaping, to the engraved bricks, numerous plaques, a bell, everything but the plaque that was designated as the final plaque because it would mean that the project is complete and the committee can be disbursed.
For a reason I simply cannot fathom, the chairpersons of committees of Norwich, Connecticut do not like to see things through and celebrate their completion. For this committee, there is one last, final plaque to be made, placed and dedicated before the left over funds are returned to the city coffers, the members of the committee publicly thanked and all are released from their duties to move on to other community service. One last opportunity to invite representatives from the David Ruggles Center for Early Florence History and Underground Railroad Studies, 225 Nonotuck St, Northampton, MA 01062 to visit and participate in a ceremony honoring the childhood home of David Ruggles.
September is Freedom Trail month and I cannot imagine a more perfect month to complete this project and move on to the next project. Maybe we need to put time limits on projects? Maybe it is time to make a rule that the purpose and progress of every city project be revisited and reevaluated every five years. Please, can we have an end to unending projects and committees that continue without purpose for generations?
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