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To the editor:
Having retired after 32 years as a foreign correspondent, including 11 with Bloomberg News, Mayor Peter Wilson returned in 2016 to the area in which he was raised. Since arriving in Lisbon, he has devoted his energies to improving the village in a myriad of ways.
Wilson ran and served on village council beginning in 2017. In 2019, he ran, and was elected mayor. During this time, he also served on the Chamber of Commerce, Lisbon Chamber Beautification Committee, Lisbon Landmark Foundation, Greenway Bike Trail and the Columbiana County Park District. He serves as an elder at New Lisbon Presbyterian Church. He also attends the Board of Public Affairs, Cemetery Board, Planning Commission and Council committee meetings.
Since early 2020, Lisbon has been awarded $5.6 million in grants and loan forgiveness funds, thanks to Wilson's efforts. These include the Grant Street and Pritchard Ave. Bridge projects, Cedar St. Park exercise path, Lions Club paving, Lisbon Street department, North End water pressure project, Willow Grove Bridge and Park project, police and fire department improvements.
What some may not realize about our village council governing body, is that the mayor uses his voting privileges only for tie-breaking among the other six Council members. If there is a concern with those, or any decisions by the community, there are six or seven people responsible for them.
Also, they can only enforce state and local laws, ordinances and statutes already in existence. While some of the local ordinances may prove to be outdated, or of little value, review boards may help. Lisbon is a small town and most of these boards are small, being handled by volunteers simply trying to do their best to help their town. In both of these cases, if you have concerns, attend meetings, ask questions and offer help. After-the-fact social media criticism doesn't help improve our village.
Whether he is helping pack school supplies with his church, handing out dinners at the Banquet (as he did nearly every single meal during the COVID drive-thru months), dining with and talking to others when meals were again served inside, Mayor Wilson is always making time for, and connecting with those in the community. He participates in walks highlighting domestic violence or may be found checking out the Saturday Farmer's Market on a regular basis. He can be found walking his dog around town or the bike trail. Whether he is helping plant flowers on the square, making a scarecrow for the square, helping paint the swimming pool, or fielding calls and visits at his office, Mayor Wilson is a full-time participant and team member in the community he serves. Wilson is never seeking praise or attention; these aren't vote-seeking activities, but rather an insight into the type of man he is. These are the sorts of things he has been doing since arriving back on the scene in 2016.
I am excited by what he has done so far and look forward to what else could be accomplished in our village if we continue to look forward and not backward with progress. Imagine what more could happen if everyone worked together. If you see a need for improvement, join a committee and speak your mind. Most committees are comprised of volunteers simply trying to do their part in their community. It takes a village to raise a village to a successful future; get involved in a positive way!
SUSAN TOOLIS,
Lisbon