Dear Georgetown,  

You are my hometown. My home county. I’ve lived here for my entire life. You are a mixed bag of personality, rich history, and of history you’d rather forget than try to remember. You are complicated. A mill town who’s identity is shaped by the paper mill and steel mill is now in question as both of those steadfast industries are gone. You are a mix of new and old, of tradition and change. In a state of metamorphosis, as the things that defined you give way to a new reality. Most of us who live here aren’t very rich. Most of us grew up with not much beyond the basics, but we survived. As we enter this new era, I hope for progress and positive change. I hope that we’re able to become better about accepting the new but holding our complicated past accountable. The good and the bad. We owe it to our future to be better and stronger, and to view diversity of thought and diversity of love as a positive change is difficult, but a brighter future means an open mind, a helping hand, and kind, enduring spirit. I believe in you. You got this.