This July 4, thank a hard-working person.

With Independence Day right around the corner, I think it’s the perfect time to take a look around us and be thankful for all the freedoms we enjoy.


Every day it seems like we’re inundated with shocking or disheartening news about our society, and it can be tough to reconcile that information with the things we know to be true about our home, our friends and our families here in the City of Milton.

The truth is there’s never going to be enough darkness in this world to hide the light of freedom we’ve established for the world in the United States of America.

So it’s in that spirit that I call upon our residents to come together this Fourth of July and celebrate what ties us together. Let’s have cookouts, let’s share laughs – let’s remember what’s truly important in our lives and put some effort into keeping those relationships strong. Because family, friendships, community – these are the most valuable things we have. Without them nothing else matters.

Take a look at this newsletter: Its full of information that highlights what makes Milton, and by extension this country, great: Residents donating their money to firefighters for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a local Girl Scout trying to make her hometown more environmentally friendly, a citizen-run July 4 parade, police offering free classes to keep us safe, free movies for community building, a senior center for our older residents, workshops to teach teenagers financial responsibility, and much, much more.

And though it probably goes without saying because of the involved, committed residents Milton enjoys, make sure this July 4 holiday weekend to take a few moments and remember those who make sacrifices every day … not to mention those who have made sacrifices for the last 237 years.

But I’m not just talking about our soldiers and their families – God bless their unbelievable daily sacrifice. I’m talking about our public safety personnel who routinely put their lives in dangerous situations so the rest of us may celebrate safely. I’m talking about our elected officials, who, despite rough hours and tough decisions, continue to give their time to serve the greater good (remember – don’t let bad apples spoil the whole crop … tough, I know). I’m talking about the legions of teachers and health inspectors and construction superintendents and code enforcement officers and countless others who ensure we live in a well-educated, clean, functioning and safe society.

Yes, we have a long way to go, and nothing will ever be perfect. But if you’ll just take a moment to thank a hard-working person, you never know where it may lead. Because remember – freedom means being able to say no. And yet so many say yes, when it’s the much harder choice.

Give me a call or stop by my office sometime to let me know what you think about how we’re doing in Milton – we’re here to serve you.

Sincerely,

Mayor Joe Lockwood