Editorial: City of Farmington, residents can help each other

Talk about it

Earlier this week the Farmington City Council accepted an oversized ceremonial check from members of the city’s Rambling River Center, symbolic payment for a $90,000 loan the city made three years ago to help complete renovations at what would become the center’s new home.

That the seniors were able to pay back that loan now, two years ahead of schedule, is no small accomplishment. It is a testament to the garage sales, fashion shows, pig-kissing contests and other fundraisers Rambling River Center members put on to raise money over the last three years. $30,000 per year is an impressive total at any time, and it’s even more impressive in a challenging economy.

That’s in addition to the physical labor many members did to complete a transition from city hall to senior center.

It was a remarkable project, and an important one at a time when city budgets are particularly tight. The partnership between city and seniors is a sign that government and residents can work together to get things done.

There are other examples of this around the community. Several of the city’s athletic organizations have dedicated money to improving fields and other facilities around Farmington. The city of Farmington is currently talking with the local youth hockey association about an agreement that would, for an annual payment of $10,000, guarantee hockey teams access to prime ice times. The money would go to maintaining and improving the arena.

That’s a good situation for everyone involved.

Partnerships like these are likely to get more important as cities find themselves with fewer resources.

When the city has less money than it once did to provide services, it’s good to know it can look to the community to fill some of the gaps.

Tags: opinion, commentaries, farmington, editorials