Centennial. Will citizens care?
The fundamental question 25 years ago in Centennial Colorado. The answer was a super majority of citizens cared. They created the largest city at time of incorporation in the history of the US!
25 years ago this upcoming December I inscribed a 1st edition hardback of Centennial by James Michener. I spent quite a bit of time on it as we were still celebrating and contemplating all that we had done together for over two years ago as a citizens team, and hoping for the best for the city when it’s first elected officials would be sworn in in the new year.
I bought a copy for each of the other four founders of the City of Centennial, a once fictional town from Michener’s imagination into reality as of September 12, 2000 election night.
Had read Centennial in high school or college and I just knew there would be a good line or two that might be memorable for the inscription. Ended up darn near reading the entire book again while skimming for the best thought or two…
Hoped I’d never really ever see what I wrote again, but when my best friend died three weeks ago Tuesday, I knew I’d need to look at his bookshelves in his study, to see what has changed in two and half decades.
Here is my inscription:
”our attention was taken by the mountains to the west, and we both thought that if we were to live in the shadow of such majestic hills we would become like them. It was now growing dark, and the sun disappeared and over the prairie which we have come to love so well came a bluish haze and then a purple and finally the first dark shades of night itself and we were five travelers on the crest of a hill. I feel assured that any family which grows up in such novel surroundings will be strong and different”
”Brian,
Our Christmas gift was realized early this year - on September 12th (or two years late)
The vision, persistence and courage of the founders of Centennial fills me with gratitude. I am proud of what we accomplished in securing the best future for our community and feel privileged to have you for a friend. Thank you. Merry Christmas.
John
Christmas eve, 2000”
As we approach the 25th Anniversary of the founding of Centennial, the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Colorado and the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, “I feel assured that any family which grows up in such novel surroundings will be strong and different”