Welcome from the Deputy City Manager |
Spring has definitely sprung. And by spring, I mean it's winter in the morning and summer in the evening. I walk to work most days, and this week I’ve noticed that it feels right to be in shorts for the walk home, but the walk into work has been brisk. Wait, you didn’t know I wear shorts? Yup, if you see me on the bookends of the day, you’ll find a more casual appearance. For almost 15 years, I’ve been a believer in the Mr. Rogers plan: I wear casual to work, then change into a suit and tie for the work day, and change back to go home. It works wonders for setting boundaries between work and personal life.
Last week, I mentioned the value of professional development. I focused on attending conferences, but there are plenty of ways I like to stay aware of the current state of affairs. As discussed in this newsletter and previous editions of Dover Plan Review, I read a lot. I’m up to 60 or so books for the year, both fiction and non-fiction, with the non-fiction tending to be less work-related. I’ve replaced some of that reading with podcasts. I’ve noted before the Strong Town podcasts and the Your City podcast, and there are others.
In addition to reading and podcast listening, I find there are really creative and educational videos on YouTube, where you can learn a lot about a variety of planning, community development, community engagement, and business growth topics. Lately, I’ve found these videos to be very much the same as going to a conference. I say that because gone are the days when a conference session was static presenters speaking at the audience. Like podcasts and vlogs, these sessions need to be entertaining and relevant. They need to put the attendee in a relaxed manner where they are being entertained but educated almost through osmosis.
A final way I find myself learning these days is the stop-and-chat method. We all have elevator speeches these days. When I meet people, I want to learn about them and hear their stories and find ways for those stories or experiences to inform my own. From a work perspective, I need to understand what they need to be happy here in Dover and how government can assist, if the ask is reasonable, and how we can support said needs.
Quick plug: Dover Pride Clean Up Day is just around the corner in early May. Please consider volunteering with Dover Main Street to help out. You’ll be amazed how much can get done on a Saturday morning if we all pitch in. Keep reading to learn more about the event from Reid. |
Talk with you next week,
Christopher G. Parker, AICP
Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives
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What's Happening?
By Reid Amy,
Business Development Specialist
It's that time of year again – spring is in the air, and it's time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. What better way to celebrate the season than by participating in some upcoming events happening in the heart of downtown Dover? There will be two simultaneous events happening on May 6 and 7, Dover Pride Clean Up Day and the Dover Spring Fling.
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Dover Pride Clean Up Day is an annual community event organized by Dover Main Street in collaboration with the City of Dover's Community Services Department. The event will take place on May 6, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., and volunteers can register online or with the Dover Main Street organization in the Cocheco Courtyard, starting at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. Volunteers are urged to bring work gloves and gardening equipment along with wheelbarrows and shovels. A free pizza lunch, donated by Kendall Pond Pizza, will begin at 11 a.m. This event encourages community members to come out and clean up the streets, parks, and neighborhoods in Dover. But this is more than just a day of cleaning, it is a day when the community comes together to show its love for Dover and spread pride (along with mulch) throughout our city. The event is a reminder that a little bit of effort can go a long way in making a difference for all of us. |
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In connection with Dover Pride Clean Up Day is the Dover Spring Fling event, which also takes place in downtown Dover on May 6 and 7. Local businesses planned this event to offer special deals and promotions and to welcome spring visitors to Dover. May is the perfect time to support shopping locally, meet some new business owners, as well as revisiting our tried and true favorite shops. But it's not just about the shopping. The Dover Spring Fling is also an opportunity to come together and celebrate spring, our small businesses, and the vibrancy of our city. |
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Each participating business will be hosting a little something extra special over the weekend. There will be free bubble and sidewalk chalk stations set up throughout the downtown, and maps will be distributed by Dover Main Street (during Dover Pride Clean Up Day), as well as by each participating business. You can follow along with business specials as they are uploaded to the Dover Spring Fling Event Page.
So, mark your calendars for the Dover Pride Clean Up Day and Dover Spring Fling – it'll be a weekend of celebration, community, and fun that you won't want to miss. Come out, show your support for Dover, and enjoy all that our city has to offer. By supporting local businesses and community organizations, we're strengthening the fabric of our community and building relationships that will last for years to come.
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Dover Download podcast: Your guide
to what's happening this week
In this week's episode, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker interviews Dover's Assistant City Engineer Jillian Semprini. They discuss the Downtown Pedestrian and Vehicular Access Improvements Project, which aims to enhance the safety and accessibility of downtown streets for everyone, regardless of age, physical ability, or mode of transportation. The project builds upon a study conducted in 2015.
In This Week in Dover History, we uncover a history mystery involving soldiers and sailors.
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Business Event Happenings
Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events. Please click here or on the calendar below to find an event! |
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Launch or Expand Your Business in Dover, NH!
Contact the Office of Business Development for assistance finding the perfect site for your business. Our team can assist you in site selection and provide access to business resources for business growth and expansion. Email us for more information about how to locate or relocate your business with us! |
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Let us know about your business
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OFFICE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF DOVER NEW HAMPSHIRE
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City Hall, 288 Central Avenue
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 516-1560
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Monday - Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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