Editorial: Farmington Fumbles Its Moment in the SpotlightâAnd Weâre All Stuck Circling the Parking Lot
Farmington, we need to talk. On August 21st, our townâs leadership gathered to discuss the final preparations for what should be a marquee event: the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Farmington High School on Monday, August 26th. This event is the culmination of years of planning, construction, and a significant investment from our community. Itâs a moment that deserves to be celebrated, shared, and, most importantly, seen. Yet, in a baffling display of shortsightedness, the town has decided not to livestream the event.
Thatâs right. In 2024, when even your neighborâs cat birthday party can be live-streamed to the world, Farmingtonâs leadership has opted to keep this event in the dark ages, relegated to those who can physically attendâand if youâre lucky enough to snag one of the 50 chairs available. Everyone else? Well, you can look forward to some photos and, if weâre fortunate, a video recording that may or may not be cobbled together sometime after the event.
Letâs get real: this is more than just a missed opportunity. Itâs a glaring failure to recognize the importance of this moment. We had the chance to show off our townâs crown jewel to past students, out-of-state alumni, potential new residents, and anyone interested in what makes Farmington unique. Instead, weâre left hoping the photos do justice to the eventâand that everyone who matters is willing to fight for a parking spot at the high school.
Speaking of parking, letâs not forget the logistical circus thatâs been set up. The committeeâs brilliant plan includes issuing parking passes, directing some to a temporary lot, and hoping the rest will find solace in the distant Town Hall lot. Itâs almost as if they want us to carpoolâno, they do! The town is encouraging carpooling or walking, likely because they know what a nightmare the parking situation will be. So, hereâs a tip: if youâre driving solo, pack a lunch. You might be circling the lot long enough to need it.
This isnât just about convenience; itâs about a fundamental misunderstanding of what this event could and should be. The ribbon-cutting isnât just for the people who can make it in personâitâs for everyone who has a stake in this community, whether they live here now or have moved away but still hold a piece of Farmington in their hearts. Itâs for the families considering moving to our town, looking for a place where their kids can thrive. Itâs for all of us who believe in the power of community and the importance of progress.
But instead of embracing the moment, Farmingtonâs leadership has chosen to fumble it. Theyâve ignored the potential for positive PR, missed out on engaging a broader audience, and, in doing so, have kept Farmington from shining as brightly as it could. And for what? To save a few bucks on a live-streaming service? To avoid the âhassleâ of setting up a camera? The excuses are weak, the decision is lazy, and the opportunity is lost.
Letâs also not forget the broader implications of this blunder. The more positive attention we bring to Farmington, the more desirable our community becomes. And that desirability doesnât just make us feel goodâit makes our property values go up. In a world where perception is everything, Farmington had the chance to project a positive image far beyond our townâs borders. Instead, weâre stuck here, circling the parking lot, wondering what could have been.
So, as you try to find a spot on August 26th, remember this: while youâre battling for a place to park, the real battle was lost long before. It was lost when our townâs leadership decided that this moment, our moment, wasnât worth sharing with the world. And thatâs a decision that affects us all, no matter where we end up parking.
Hereâs hoping the next time Farmington has a moment in the spotlight, we donât fumble it. Because we deserve betterâand so does our town.
-JB-