A Patch Anniversary: A Lot Can Happen in a Year

Well, it's official. Today marks the one-year anniversary of Chicago Heights Patch's launch day.

This time last year, we were reporting on a  and . A local school teacher of . Students at and Schools . 

Since Dec. 23, 2010, Chicago Heights has seen a lot of change.

The city has a , and recently . We've got an for the first time, and the city has seven wards instead of six.

Bloom Township High School District 206 saw two new board members elected and selected a new board president in Henry Drake, . , and .

So yeah, a lot can happen in a year, and as a reporter it has been a lot fun watching the city go through its changes. As a resident of Chicago Heights, there have been many ups and downs. 

Reporting on the untimely deaths, murders, and businesses leaving the town I live in are never a joyful experience, but meeting the many Remarkable Residents and seeing colorful, vibrant images of what this town really is has been amazing. So I'll take the good with the bad.

Going forward, let's try to be more proactive in our community. The Heights has struggled economically in recent years and plenty of residents are feeling the pinch. We can say whatever we want about how people end up in difficult situations but the bottom line is, you don't know what the next persons situations is.

In 2012, let's try to take positive, active roles in our communities. That includes pointing out the things that don't look quite right among our local leaders, but it also includes patting our elected officials on the back when we see positive change. It included taking part in local events and helping promote them (hopefully on Patch)!

As Chicago Heights Patch begins year two, prepare to see something more than a news source, more than a site for information. We will be a hub for local conversation and the sharing of ideas. 

On a side note: This day holds some special significance to me. As an example of how much can happen in a year, I would like to point out my family was living in an apartment on Broadway Avenue this time last year. Now we own a home in the Heights and welcomed our second child, Ezra Stephen Paicely, into the world Dec. 20. 

Amazing, right? Where was your life a year ago? Where will it be a year from now? It's hard to tell, but let's try to enjoy as much of it as we can.

Thanks for a great year, everyone!