This morning, while I was surfing the Internet, I came across a couple of my earlier bogs that caused the “old gray matter” to percolate. One blog dated 8-8-07 was titled, Old wine in a new bottle – or… is it ‘new wine in an old bottle?’ It starts off with a reference to Bill’s Blog #34 from Thanksgiving – 2006 which focused on People coming together to -? The final sentence reads – maybe the time has come to step up to the plate, roll up their sleeves, mobilize the necessary resources, and raise a few more barns – together.

Well, just as my goal of “cleaning out the garage” has dragged on for over a year, so has the dream for PetalumaNET (2.0) been slow in evolving. The new meaning for NET was reignited with the news about another type of NET that the City created recently – a Neighborhood Enforcement Team. This initiative really caught the attention of citizens; but the question remains – is it the best way to achieve the desired objectives for the designated neighborhood?

Let’s consider substituting different words for the letter – NET. We’ll still retain the basic concept of creating a Neighborhood Network that will bring neighbors together to identify their major needs and concerns; and then move forward with a plan of action – that they create – designed to enhance or enrich their neighborhood. If successful; over time, such a group of neighbors becomes a team that experiences a sense of empowerment. A sense of empowerment that is based upon successfully creating an action plan that results in achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Hmmm, that sounds like a “food for thought” quote that “Eagle-Eyes” and “Hammerhead” might pick up and explore in future blogs. In the meantime, however, “Me, Myself & I” are thankful that we live in such a great town and will continue to “step up to the plate and roll up our sleeves.”

Is there a local NET in your future? Think about it? Select any of the three E‘s you might want to use for your Neighborhood Enhancement or Enrichment or Empowerment Team. It’s your choice. Are you ready to step up to the plate and roll up your sleeves? Is it time for Our Petaluma to recapture the spirit of the earlier barn raising days? Stay tuned.