This post is a goodbye tribute and a thank you to a few extraordinary contributors.
Terra and Tom Spero and their two wonderful boys are moving to the Raleigh, NC area later this month. I will miss having them around and running into them all over town but I’m certain we will remain friends and in touch. They will enrich their new hometown and they will be missed around here.
Raleigh is a great city and a wonderful place to raise kids. I have a close childhood friend who lives there, a nephew who went to college and now law school there and many friends who have raved over the area’s economic development efforts and entrepreneurial scene. In fact, our Business Development Board took a contingent there a few years back and friends who went on the trip are still talking about what they saw and experienced. I can appreciate the lure.
But Terra loves Delray as well and seeing her go is hard for those of us who love her and Tom and appreciate their service over the years.
Terra has been on the board with me at Dare 2 Be Great and the Chamber of Commerce, gave me great ideas for my book, served on SPRAB with distinction and has helped market events, our downtown and our city. Her work has been great for Delray, she has rung cash registers all over town and that my friends is economic development. Events and tourism are a form of economic development and that we even have to have that discussion shows how far we have strayed from a proven formula. A formula that raised Delray from the dead.
Want proof? Take a gander at the city’s rising taxable values which lead the county (and leave other cities in the dust) and you’ll see the value. So unless we are exempt from the laws of economics I think we can say we’ve done OK. Unless of course you think properties go up in value after they’ve been ruined.
But I digress.
Still, my larger point is we ought to do whatever we can to attract and retain families like the Spero’s. Great people. Entrepreneurs. Great parents. Volunteers. Contributors.
I first met Terra when she attended a Residents Academy class and I was on the commission. I was happy to see a young mom and business owner take an interest in her city. When I got to know her, I hoped one day she would serve on the commission. I don’t say that about too many people I meet. But I thought she was smart, committed, creative and had vision. I saw her as a leader and we need leaders. Now, more than ever.
It turned out I was right about Terra and her talent burned bright on many boards and projects. Terra promises to stay involved here and engaged in business as well. I hope so. But it’s important to say “thank you.”
And so we will.
A big thank you is also in order for Bill Branning who is stepping off our CRA due to term limits after 8 years of stellar service on that very important agency.
Luckily Bill is staying around and serving as the chair of Old School Square.
But he will be missed on the CRA. He has done a great job on an agency that has hit it out of the park.
Bill is dedicated, mature, level headed, scary smart, funny, kind and does his homework. He makes those he works with better and adds tremendous value because he’s prepared, in it for the right reasons and asks great questions. Just a great board member and a great guy.
There seems to be talk on the commission about changing the rules to favor residents of Delray and limit the participation of non-residents on city boards.
Sounds good right? But here’s the reality. Skin in the game can be defined in many ways. Sure living here is important. Very important. Paying taxes means something too.
But there’s more to the equation. Does the applicant have the requisite skillset and life experience to add value? Do they own and or operate a business in your city? Do they pay taxes? Invest here. Volunteer here. Give philanthropically to community causes and institutions.
When I hear about this possible policy change I think of Bill. He owns a business here. Owns property here. Volunteers here. Gives here. His heart is here and has been for a long time. But when he goes to sleep at night his head hits the pillow in Boca. But he’s more of a Delray guy than just about anyone I know. He is as committed to the betterment of this city as anyone has ever been.
I would hope any new policy would find room for a guy like him. Heck, we’d be lucky to find somebody who comes close.
Thanks Bill for your stellar service. You’ve made your town proud.