One of the great speeches of my lifetime immortalized that phrase with deep meaning and symbolism that will stretch far into the future beyond our vision, and rightfully so. I wish I had such to offer you today, but alas I have not the gift nor the eloquence. Nonetheless, I too, have a dream . . .

But perhaps you will find my dream banal in comparison and the mere proximation offensive, for none could argue the paramount significance of Martin’s plea and vision. His immediate audience, 100 fold my potential audience, might stand to reinforce the insignificance of my dream, but I dream nonetheless . . .

I dream of a day when we in this community might put aside our differences, our preferences and our opinions to make room in our desires to wish only the very best for our community and for our neighbors – knowing that our own ideas and our opinions might not make it to the forefront. Like a parent who wishes the very best for their child and for them to reach their full potential, even though that might mean substituting a stethoscope in their career for a horsehair bow. Parents will understand this, others may nod their heads agreeingly. The love a parent has for their children is transformational – it is part of the family package that is unexpected, bewildering at times, and gripping. We need a same commitment to this community - not about us, but about we.

I have a dream that one day, I will be able to read the local newspaper and the editorials, and within those pages find only personal restraint and composure - focus and truth. Someone carefully and humbly offering up information, an idea, or an opinion with words carefully crafted to offer only what is true and accurate, while offering opinion clearly presented as personal opinion. It is so easy to drift into hyperbole. To make statements that are technically true but presented to conceal an important portion of the truth that would otherwise make the statement false or questionable. Are we seeking the truth as a community? Are we as individuals interested in finding the actual truth about our problems and the right solutions so that we can move ahead to a better place without delay? Or is it more important that we win the debate? More important that we get our jab in at someone we disdain.

It is my opinion that the road ahead of us will be more difficult than the road behind. It is my opinion that both the state and local economies will continue in decline. If this community is to thrive, we will need to be razor-focused on truth, accurate facts and humble interactions seeking only the best – not for ourselves or our egos, but for Haines.

I have a dream . . . we can do this.