Five Easy Steps To Make Dorchester Even Better

Questions to ponder: 

• When you drive into Dorchester, what do you notice? 
  
  
• Is it clean and attractive? 
  
  
  
• Are the streets, sidewalks, and parking lots clean? 
  
  
  
• Are there businesses that make you want to stop? 
  
  
  
• Are there attractions and events promoted? 
  
  
  
• Are the buildings in good repair? 
  
  
  
• Are there weeds growing in places they shouldn't be?
  
  
  
• If you have a physical property, does it look the best it can? 
  
  
  
• Are you giving back to your community or just taking from it?

There's no doubt, Dorchester has a lot going for it. We note the positives every time we publicize a house that has been listed for sale.

But communities are like individuals -- there's always room for improvement. 

Here are five easy things we can do in Dorchester to make our village an even better place to live or visit:

1.  Be friendly. Sounds simple enough. But by just smiling, waving, and being friendly to your neighbors, fellow residents, and visitors, you'll make a difference. It's easy if you try.

2.  Be helpful. See the comments in step 1. 

3.  Be appreciative. Tell a Village of Dorchester employee, or school staff member, or Dorchester business employee that you appreciate them. Thank a community volunteer. If visitors are in Dorchester, when appropriate, let them know the community appreciates them stopping by our village. 

4.  Listen and be responsive. In an era when some people check their phones 300 times a day (it's true) or stare endlessly at screens, we don't take time to interact with living and breathing humans next to us, as generations did before the arrival of the television and personal computer and smart phone. Think of ways to interact -- in person -- with your fellow Dorchester area residents. You might learn something -- and develop a new best friend.

5.  Keep homes and buildings in repair. Some of this is up to individual businesses and homeowners; some of it is up to the village and its partners to enforce ordinances in a timely manner. Do we need more ordinances and fines to take care of run-down properties? Or will negligent owners respect their neighbors and rules of the community? If you have a neglected property, resolve to clean it up, wash the windows, give it a fresh coat of paint. Make your property an asset to Dorchester, not a detraction. If it's beyond repair, sell it or tear it down. Think of those around you and Dorchester's future.