First Blog
I admit that I have been skeptical about blogging, but am beginning to warm to the idea. In fact, I’m getting excited about contributing to a discussion about community and economic development in Alabama. I have no shortage of ideas and opinions on this topic and this should be a great venue for engaging readers to test these ideas and to learn from you. Also, there are some great things going on at ECDI that I want to talk about. So I will periodically provide updates about ECDI events and programs and the work of our excellent staff. ECDI staff will be posting here too.
I’m not too sure what people expect from our blog, but I plan to provide information and my opinions on a range of topics. Most will be related to economic development but I warn you that I may sometimes stray and opine on other matters.
I will even talk a little about my family, who have a profound influence on how I see the world. Ella Clare (aka Sweet Pea), my granddaughter, will celebrate her first birthday on April 12. My 13-year-old son, Tucker, is a 7th Grader on the Auburn Jr. High Track Team and recently came in 1st place in the 1600 meters (one mile for my American readers) in a regional meet. Not only is he fast, he is smart, kind, and funny. He takes after his mom (except for the fast part). My wife and I prove the old adage that opposites attract. Lynn is beautiful, outgoing and impulsive. I am quiet, calm, and analytical (and not nearly as good to look at). But what the heck, it works. Lacey Updegraff, my daughter and Sweet Pea’s mom, is 27 and married to my son-in-law John, an advisor for AU College of Liberal Arts. Lacey manages the Lee County Youth for Christ and has a very cool blog of her own at http://fromtheauplains.blogspot.com
Of course, the ideas and opinions that I write in this blog will be from my perspective and may not reflect the point of view of the Alabama economic development community, Auburn University, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, other ECDI staff members, or any sane person. More later . . .
Joe, Ella Clare, and Tucker
Lynn and Ella Clare
