06/19/2024
I Want to share with you the letter I read at the Common Council Meeting on June 18th, 2024... I also would like to thank everyone who has check in on us, offered us a hug or support during this time. Our hearts are just as broken as yours. We will miss all of you truly ♡
Good evening, everyone. My name is Savannah Collins, and I reside on South Broad Street. Recently, I closed my business on North Broad Street. Tonight, I'm not here to burn down the city council—how could I? Instead, I'm seeking closure.
I want to begin by expressing my gratitude. Alderman Robert Jefferies made time on Saturday mornings to join us for breakfast and conversation—we even named a sandwich after him, which became a top seller. Alderman Warren often stopped by in the days following council meetings to touch base. Dave Zieno was a regular, dropping in at least once a week for soup and lemonade, allowing me to catch him for a chat during his lunch break. Alderman Loomis generously shared his contact information, always responding promptly—even at 4 am—to address issues like overflowing garbage. Alderwoman Allaire frequently visited with her lovely granddaughter for breakfast. Alderman Fred Ghee, showed up to every Nuisance ordinance meeting held at Kozmos, Mayor Dolliver has become a familiar face on Saturday mornings, regularly checking in on us at Kozmos.
I consider you all friends, and I am deeply grateful for your support.
The decision to close my restaurant stemmed from extreme stress that was adversely affecting my health, combined with high overhead costs and staffing challenges and having to transition to daytime hours made it difficult to generate sufficient revenue to sustain the business.
Owning a business is inherently stressful, but operating on North Broad Street amplified these challenges. Every day, I faced the daunting task of managing the restaurant amid incidents that deterred customers and jeopardized the safety of myself and my staff. I constantly worried about leaving my children there, fearful of potential harm from individuals under the influence or struggling with mental health issues. These concerns were not merely anxious thoughts but were based on actual experiences.
I understand that embracing change and moving forward can be daunting, especially when downtown has remained unchanged for so long. However, it's clear to everyone that there are significant issues happening here. We're not going back to Norwich in its heyday. We're living in a time where people don't feel safe on the main strip of town. Business owners like myself are forced to make decisions not solely based on our hard work or how much people enjoy our establishments, but on whether the area is viable—is it safe to operate a business here, and what if it's not?
I encourage the Council and the Mayor to look beyond the past and envision where we want Norwich to be in 10 or 15 years. When the next business owner or concerned group approaches you, I urge that it's more than just talk—it should lead to tangible action. Whether it involves pulling certificates of occupancy, directing department heads to take proactive measures, or ensuring accountability for inaction. It's easy to find reasons why not or to focus on worst-case scenarios. Instead of the weak-mayor-strong-council government style often cited, which tends to place all responsibility on the Mayor's shoulders, let's consider exploring a City Manager model. This does not diminish the roles of the Mayor and Council but allows the government to operate more efficiently with fluidity. It removes the pressures of re-election and political dynamics.
Norwich has immense potential and many positive attributes. What it needs is decisive action. As Dr. Frankenstein once said, "Beware I AM brave and therefore I am Powerful" it is a time to be brave.
