Happy March to all. I can't believe we're already three months into 2023, and almost to the first day of spring. Spring always makes me think about rebirth and growing, and planting and nurturing. At the city, it's always the time that development really starts to pick up again after the long winter pause. I always start to get excited this time of the year, about all the new possibilities and ideas that will begin to sprout. We can all feel like butterflies after a long, cold winter in our cocoons. 
I promise that I am trying to make a point with all of my babbling here. Over the last two years, our federal government has appropriated billions and billions of dollars for governments at the state and local level to fund projects and programs to benefit their communities. For the last six months, the city has been working with Merchant McIntyre, a lobbying firm based in Washington D.C. Being out here in Wisconsin, it can be hard to advocate for our community when federal funding opportunities arise. Firms like Merchant McIntyre work to help give small communities like us a voice in D.C. Over the last several months, they've been working to understand our community's needs, identify grant opportunities, and assist us with the grant writing process. We are the only community in Wisconsin being represented by Merchant McIntyre, meaning they are working exclusively for us.
I went out to D.C. with City Administrator Scot Simpson at the beginning of February to meet with our two state senators, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson. We also met with our two representatives, Derrick Van Orden and Thomas Tiffany. We had just enough time left to meet with the people at the National Army Corp of Engineers to discuss the upcoming feasibility study on restoration of the Kinnikinnic River Corridor.
All of the meetings went as well as we had hoped. We were able to communicate just how great of a community have here, and to show them that when we decide to do something, we go full steam ahead and get it done. We discussed our projects and priorities for the coming years and illustrated our need for support. Time will tell if the trip pays off or not, but I truly believe that the face-to-face time will make a difference when it's time to spend the money they control — especially since much of the time, it's the big cities that get significant funding. I also believe that Merchant McIntyre will make a huge impact on our ability to get the federal support and money we need.
Hang on a little longer — we're almost out of the winter. Having set our clocks ahead two weeks ago, the days are already longer. We could drink and eat all the green stuff we wanted on the 17th. Plus, the 30th is opening day this year for baseball. What's not to like about March?
Take care and be safe.