Word on the

Street

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. While that line is from one of my all time favorite Christmas songs, I have to admit that in some ways it’s putting a real damper on my festive holiday mood. I’ve always said it would be swell if snow didn’t stick on the roads.

But once I did make it out onto the roads and into my office, I was cheered up by the picture of Sumner’s Main Street covered in white with the festive snowflakes lit up on the downtown street poles and holiday decorations throughout the city. Many thanks to the community partnership that meets every year to decide not only what should be hung downtown but what we can continue to add to our local holiday cheer at an affordable cost that fits in everyone’s budget. It’s a mix of the Sumner Downtown Association, Sumner Rotary and Sumner Arts Commission. And let’s not forget the city staff. Specifically Warren Peoli and Tom Bachmann who are responsible for maintaining the decorations and hanging them on our downtown poles. Every year I get a visit from them to discuss which lights aren’t working, what looked good last year, what required extra maintenance and repairs and what they think can be improved.

I know everyone is probably sick and tired of me waxing poetic about how wonderful I think partnerships are, but truly, Sumner is a great place to watch this concept in action. Our local government, our business owners and our community members definitely believe in giving back, but more importantly, are committed retaining Sumner’s unique charm. They all know that’s what draws folks to our city and downtown.

And beyond designing great holiday decorations, these partnerships also look for ways to create beautification projects, which are part of an economic strategy that welcome visitors and encourage commerce.

One recent shining example is the Arts Commission’s work on banners they have been designing for Traffic Avenue. The existing banners are faded and worn and the commission has been working on a plan to replace them with something that incorporates the citywide branding graphics and message. I believe they have decided on banners with Burma Shave-like slogans that encourage visitors to “Come On In” and that also utilize the color palate which is part of the branding graphics. They are scheduled to arrive after the first of the year so that when the holiday decorations come down, the city staff can hang the new banners in their place. The intent is that the people traveling on the commuter train, coming to town to eat or shop, buying a tractor at John Deere or a truck at Sunset Chevrolet, will see the vintage advertising method and remember that Sumner is a fun place to visit and spend their money. The Sumner Library has also inquired about incorporating the same branding graphics with their new book bags they are designing. These examples of the community’s eagerness to participate in this campaign and promote Sumner are exactly what make it a great place to live, raise your kids, and get involved.

So to Barb, Donna, Ben, Marshall, Warren, Tom, Carmen, Robin and Charlene, thanks for your behind the scenes work on downtown. You make it all look so easy. I love sharing these stories as I promote why people should spend some time in Sumner… regardless of the road conditions.