[img_assist|nid=631|title=Madeline Romious|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=214|height=300]Welcome to another exciting year of endless opportunities for optimism in the Southtown community! I have the immense pleasure of serving as the 2011 Board President for Southtown Council. As someone who represents AT&T in various communities in the metropolitan area, educates her son in local schools and frequents the shops and restaurants here, I can honestly say that now is a great time to be in Southtown. About five years ago, I began handling external and public affairs for AT&T and quickly found that Southtown was an eclectic patchwork of businesses and neighborhoods within one vibrant cohesive community. The area represents a diversity of people, neighborhoods, businesses, thought, and activities that can only peacefully co-exist in the most forward thinking and progressive communities.
Recently, the Boards of the Southtown Council, Waldo Area Business Association and Brookside Business Association gathered for our yearly retreat. The theme of the retreat was "Living Your Best Southtown/Waldo/Brookside Life Ever." I interpret that as living, working and playing each day in our community like it is a great day and taking full advantage of all it has to offer. For twenty-nine years, Southtown has worked to support the success of economic development, businesses and neighborhoods in the area.
In recent years, we can look back and give thanks for the steady business managers that facilitated a gradual climb out of some tough economic times as we strived to serve
our customers, clients and communities. As we enter 2011, we should be motivated and optimistic about how we can live our best business and personal lives ever and improve
on 2010. Optimism abounds us!! We can see the MAX riding down Troost providing much needed transportation to drive economic growth and prosperity by getting people where they need to be, when they need to be there. We can feel the hopefulness of "life after" the Troost bridge project when all thoughts of yellow cones and detours are behind us.
We can feel the excitement as the 63rd Street Design Plan evolves and provides a framework for future infrastructure, beautification improvements, and new development. These are just a few of the opportunities for optimism that we have in Southtown. I look forward to working with all of you as we strive to "Live Our Best Southtown Life Ever in 2011."
Madeline Romious, President, Southtown Council