Cobalt Mayor Angela Adshead has called on residents, young and old, to speak up about what they love about the town.
At a recent council meeting, Adshead stated that she has heard many people say that they want Cobalt to be what it once was.
"So would I, or as close to it as could possibly be, and I am sure everyone else around this table feels the same way," she commented.
She said she has heard good speakers discussing how to make a town better, "and the one message that keeps coming across loud and clear is that it begins with the people."
With that in mind, Adshead has challenged all residents to put into words what it is that they love about Cobalt. People are being asked to write that down, along with their contact information, and submit it to the town office. She said she will contact everyone who makes a submission to further "discuss their thoughts on what makes our town great."
She added that the first eight people to make a submission will receive a small token of appreciation for participating.
"Let's start a positive dialogue about what is so wonderful about the small town we live in that we call Cobalt," she said.
If people do not want to submit their thoughts to the town office, she invited people to tell someone else what it is that they love about the community or put it on social media.
"Most importantly, let's keep the message positive," she said.
"This is your town and it will take more than seven of us around this table to make our town into what we want it to be."
She said the town needs everyone to be engaged. She called on residents to come to council meetings and speak to others about Cobalt while keeping the message positive.
"Negativity does not help us change our town into what we want it to be."
Adshead said she would start off the conversation by relating that what she loves about Cobalt is the people, "the way they pull together and help each other when it's needed."
She added that she loves the fact that Cobalt is a town with all the services, but it still has "an abundance of nature surrounding us to enjoy, creating a relaxing way in which to live our lives."
Darlene Wroe is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with the Temiskaming Speaker. LJI is funded by the Government of Canada.
