Bill Boland is a space exploration enthusiast and Corning?s next mayor. He believes that Corning, like Saturn?s moon Enceladus, has all the right resources in place to make amazing things happen.
In 2005, NASA discovered geysers erupting from the surface of Enceladus. It?s thought that tidal pressure causes water underneath the moon?s icy surface to break through and blast into the sky. This is an exciting discovery because it?s another possibility in determining whether life exists outside of our planet – and at the very least, it?s an example of incredible beauty spewing from unexpected sources.
When all the right forces come together perfectly, amazing things can happen.
?Corning has a unique combination that allows us to succeed,? said Boland in a recent conversation with Urban Corning. ?We have enormous capacity to do whatever we want in the future.?
And according to our Mayor-Elect, we?re already heading in the right direction.
Currently, Corning is in the midst of a 5-year period during which public and private sectors are investing $70 million on a housing renaissance. The city is working to remodel and redevelop our neighborhoods one block at a time, starting with ?impact zones? that provide major opportunities for revitalization.
?We have to create a community where people want to be,? said Boland.
In recent years he has helped establish an economic development strategy that takes advantage of public-private partnerships. He wants to bring together organizations that represent the arts, housing, development, and city management to build a vibrant community.
If ?vibrancy? has a familiar ring to it, it?s because former Congressman and Corning, Inc. CEO Amo Houghton shares Boland?s vision for a ?vibrant middle,? looking for areas of commonality and connection throughout the region. Houghton, along with Corning, Inc., endorsed Boland?s campaign.
?My mom worked at Corning for 36 years and I?m so proud I had their endorsement,? Boland told us. ?And Amo Houghton is a model of fairness and civility.?
?Vibrant? can also be used to describe another passion of Boland?s; as an artist, he creates vibrant pointillist works that show off his unique vision of the world around us. In a piece titled Weak Stability Boundary, he shows off a space phenomenon with beautiful colors and patterns.
Weak Stability Boundary by Bill Boland
Weak Stability Boundary refers to special pathways in space, sometimes called ?low-energy transfers.? These pathways allow for long distances to be traversed using less fuel and fewer changes in velocity. And in many ways, this concept parallels Boland?s vision for Corning.
?I have an aspiration to move to the future utilizing the resources we have available,? he said. ?We have to gain momentum and continue in a positive direction in order to face big challenges.?
And if it?s still unclear whether an artist and space enthusiast can make a good mayor, Boland summed up his mantra and overall vision with concise clarity:
?The sky?s the limit.?
Sean is the owner and partner at Creagent Marketing in Corning, NY. He helps businesses find their voice on social media and build their audience online. He helps individuals find delicious meals and great drinks throughout the Southern Finger Lakes.