As Greenwich enters 2025, the start of the Lunar New Year brings with it a moment to reflect, reset, and look ahead with renewed purpose. The coming months present an opportunity to build on the progress already made, to push past unnecessary roadblocks, and to commit to working together for the good of the town.
Progress is not inevitable—it requires collaboration, discipline, and a willingness to set aside personal grievances in favor of the greater good. Nowhere has this been clearer than in the efforts to rebuild Central Middle School. When a team comes together with a shared goal, when expertise and civic responsibility guide decision-making, real results follow. The Central Middle School Building Committee has demonstrated exactly that. Through careful planning, fiscal responsibility, and teamwork, they have secured a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract that comes in $4 million under budget.
Harry Truman is credited with saying that “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” It is a sentiment shared and echoed by many great leaders including Ronald Reagan.
Unfortunately, we have also seen the alternative. We have seen what happens when projects are delayed by those who refuse to engage constructively, when committees are bogged down by personal agendas, and when voices determined to obstruct take precedence over those working to solve problems. Some would rather see Greenwich stuck in place than moving forward without them in control. That mindset serves no one. We agree that leadership is about more than demanding to have things one’s own way—it’s about recognizing that progress comes from cooperation especially at the local level.
Greenwich is capable of doing big things when its leaders—elected and appointed—commit to working together. It shows that the town can take on major infrastructure challenges while maintaining financial responsibility. And it sets a precedent for other critical projects on the horizon.
This year, Greenwich is poised for real transformation. The opening of the new Civic Center will create new opportunities for gathering, recreation, and events. Veterans Plaza Park will soon be home to a beautifully designed space honoring those who served. The Greenwich Crossing project will redefine Railroad Avenue, making it more welcoming and vibrant. Greenwich Communities is making great strides in affordable housing. Old Greenwich School will move its renovations forward. And long-overdue pedestrian safety initiatives in Glenville will make our streets safer and more accessible.
These projects matter. They enhance our quality of life, strengthen our economy, and ensure that Greenwich remains a place where families want to live, work, and thrive. But the way in which they move forward matters too. That means putting aside divisions and focusing on the work that needs to be done. It means being more interested in shared results than in being vociferously correct all the time. Supporting the (often volunteer) leaders who are doing the hard work of making these projects a reality, rather than listening to those who prefer to stand in the way.
The Lunar New Year reminds us that renewal is always possible—that every day presents a new chance to make better choices, to approach challenges with fresh eyes, and to focus on the road ahead. Greenwich deserves a future built on progress.
The town has a lot to look forward to this year. The choice ahead is whether we proceed with a clear commitment to progress or let obstacles determine our course, straining relationships that were once strong and productive.
Happy Lunar New Year. Let’s make it a year of real progress—together.
