Main Street Launches Search For Director, Renews Commitment To Founding Principles
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Main Street Update
By Joe York
President
Recently, Mickey Howley stepped down as director of the Water Valley Main Street Association. All of us on the board of the WVMSA wish to thank Mickey for his 12 years of service to our organization. Building on the foundation laid by generations of Water Vallians, Main Street made great progress during his tenure as director.
As we begin our search for a new director, we welcome this opportunity to revive our commitment to the founding principles of our organization: promoting economic vitality, working with business owners and citizens to keep our Main Street vibrant and welcoming to all, and organizing events and opportunities that bolster our community from within while bringing new business and visitors to town.
To that end, our board has begun to reimagine how the WVMSA can continue the work of those who set the stage for our town to be successful. Our board is made up of Nicole Folson, Kenneth Rodgers, Calvin Hawkins, Jamie Harker, Erin Abbot Kirkpatrick, Glenda Gordon, Cinnamon Foster, Grant Thompson, Joe Black, Cliff Johnson and me. We appreciate your suggestions, your feedback, or anything at all that you think will help us be successful as we begin this new phase in the life of our organization.
Among the many things that will remain the same about our organization is our commitment to promoting our Main Street businesses, our Farmers Market, the Art Crawl (with the leadership of our partner organization the Water Valley Arts Council), concerts and gatherings in the Pocket Park, and our deep belief in fostering community and vitality in the heart of our town.
Among the many things that we hope to see change is our commitment to work more closely with other local civic groups, to renew partnerships with the businesses and citizens who have been pillars of our town for generations, and to create a more welcoming and inclusive Main Street that looks and feels more like our whole community. We believe everyone benefits when there are more opportunities for all to share in our growing prosperity and make their mark on our town.
Water Valley has changed a lot over the years, and Water Valley will continue to change. In our next chapter, the Water Valley Main Street Association hopes to work with all of our citizens to help manage that change. As we grow, we must remain close to the central values that have helped our town remain strong and vital for so long. Just as good schools, good churches, and an engaged citizenry are integral parts of a thriving town, a vibrant and inclusive Main Street is central to the success of all who live here.
Lastly, if you’ve been a member of Main Street in the past, we humbly ask you consider rejoining our organization. If you haven’t been a part of Main Street in the past, we humbly ask that you consider being a part of this new beginning with us. Our town and our Main Street are strongest when we are all involved and all working together to make our town the best it can be. We welcome the opportunity to rededicate ourselves to this work.
