It seems like every weekend we have enjoyed a fun family event and the 4th of July was no exception with music, fireworks, boat races, demolition derbys, parades, and yes the good folks in Harmar even threw in the apple pie! Even with all these great activities we are about to embark on a new era of family recreation with the opening of the Marietta Aquatic Center this Friday, July 9 at noon, and indeed the public is invited to help celebrate the occasion. I have heard several people say that this is truly a historic event for our town because the new aquatic center is probably the biggest public project ever focused on kids, families, and fun. Public projects of this stature say a lot about our priorities. Investing in people, particularly our young people, is a reflection of a community that cares, a community that has vision, and a community that will work together for a positive future. Please join us this Friday at noon to christen this great new facility and to thank our public officials for their vision, to thank a fantastic group of contractors for a job well done, and to thank the citizens and taxpayers of Marietta for their support. It is a great honor to be a small part of a community that puts people first. Thanks, and last one in the pool is a rotten egg! Mayor Michael Mullen