Shaun Martin Architect

 I gave this speech at the first Toastmasters Meeting of 2023 in hopes to inspire our visitors and members to not give up on reaching their goals. The following is text, slightly edited for clarity. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyone know what happens when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve?

At 11:59, the rear view mirror is full of the departing year’s disappointments, our hearts are awash with hope and the wide windshield ahead of us is full of optimism with change fresh on our minds. All hurts and challenges are behind us.  Truth is there is an ebb and flow of expectation when a fresh start presents at the start of each new year.

We promise ourselves better and that feels right. What does new year optimism look like?… a treadmill? new car? new job? new experience? new husband? [A joke] 

Clock strikes midnight,…

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,…

“And never brought to mind?

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

“And auld lang syne.”

[“Auld Lang Syne” — which roughly translates to “times gone by”— was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 and is thought to have been based on a Scottish folk song.]

We kiss our companion and drink giddily to the fresh start we are handed. All the things not accomplished last year, we want to tackle with the new year. Motivation is high to start but the motivation wains but why? Life happens, distractions and cell phones being the primary issue. We need to go into the new year with both eyes open understanding the road blocks and pit falls that will obstruct down the road. We need grace and determination for the journey. 

 

Lets get started… Looking back at the previous year we see areas of improvement that need attention. We commit ourselves and show up on Dec 31 NYE and toast with champagne.. boy what a lead-in for Jan 1.  Then the motivation remains high on Jan 2. Takes us a lil longer to get to the gym on Jan 3.  holding on Jan 4.  we’re making excuses and miss the gym on Jan 5. We procrastinate on Jan 6 and by Jan 7, it is the day of rest then gym no more. Ah ah!  We gotta break the cycle.  So lets rename this whole thing… how about let’s give the New Year a new name, New Year  New Day.  New Day… get it?

It is you being gifted another chance to try each day. It is you showing up and identifying the needs in your life and addressing those needs…showing up for who?  For yourself, for your family and coworkers, for your future.  Honoring the small things and taking small steps to make a collective, impactful difference, one day at a time.

 

We must recognize it is you being hungry for the things you want in this life and using your agency to prepare a table for yourself with the fruit of discipline, a full cup of faith and plates of ambition to make a difference for yourself and for those around you. And when opportunity presents, life requires you to show up if growth is what you seek.  Opportunities are the gateways to greater possibilities.

Lets break that down… Opportunity…what is it?  Merriam-Webster defines opportunity as 

– a favorable combination of circumstances, time and place

– a chance to better oneself

The definition I love most is the one by Oxford Languages

– a chance for promotion (the perfect summation for all three)

Promotion… has a nice ring to it right?  Let’s be careful though. We should not rely on the world’s standards for “promotion” as it pertains to our personal growth.  Those standards are myopic, short sighted sometimes because waiting for a boss who does not believe in you or your potential to “promote” you is a hard pill to swallow and [i think its ok to say] aint nobody got time for that.  No, let me share a thought that just might shift the paradigm for you.  You read that book you’ve been meaning to read… promotion. You find yourself in the gym 1 of the 4 saturdays in January when last year you did not go at all… promotion.  You enroll in the masters program that you’ve been meaning to for years… promotion…  You put down your cell phone when your child begs for your attention and you choose her or him over self indulgence (work related or not)… promotion…  New year new day…

 

Promotions are the reward for showing up for the little things and the big things…both still lead to the same result…PROMOTION!  at home, at work, in life…promotion

 

Ladies and gentlemen I hope you see the pattern here.  Does anyone get it yet? If so, send me a heart. The lesson of the new day, take the opportunity to SHOW UP for yourself and for those around you. I challenge you to sit for a moment and think on it. Know that life will happen, but plan your response and dig your heels in to choose a win for yourself. So here’s a lil rhetorical that I want to do with you.  Mics on,  I state a challenge and you say “New year, new day” got it?  

 

– Alarm clock goes off and its time for the gym but you’re tired…

– Its lunchtime and you been carrying around a book you been meaning to read…

– Baby girl is pulling on your leg to show you her painting and you are on your cell phone…

– An ad comes across your computer screen for a trip you’ve always wanted to take to Africa but you hesitate… 

– You attend a Toastmasters meeting and are still on the fence about membership…

 

Shameless plug I know but we are serious about this. We struggle too but showing up is a must in this space because when we show up here, we show up for you to encourage you to show up.  Yes, it is a new year but today is a new day! Are you ready?

 

For auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne.

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

Alright everyone, let’s do this!

City Manager, Educator, Public Administrator, Author, Family Historian, Gardener, Grandma, Aunt, Sister, Mother, Friend, Perry Mason Fan and so much more

Much has happened since 2016.  The past years have been ripe with opportunity to grow, to be set back, to climb, to fall, to love, to cry, to celebrate and finally to regret.  I have accomplished much with years of discovery, nuance, sadness, anxiety and so many more “things”.  Let’s just say life happened with everything going on, COVID, social injustice, tanking economy, with a cherry on top as the death of my best friend, my mother in 2020. I can honestly say that I am hopeful for a better perspective on things.  I reached my lowest point with a piercing light that continues to point to my mom from every angle.  To her, I owe everything. I miss her so.

My world has been rocked to and fro.  I wake up to the emptiness in my gut from the thought of never being able to wrap my arms around her and kiss her sweet cheeks.  I wish that her final days were her choice, that it was not sudden, that we had a better nurse and doctor and that modern healthcare was not a money machine full of doctors who see dollar signs as patients and not humans deserving of dignity.  I wish we had a chance to cherish the final moments as final and not expectant of a sunshiny recovery.  Mom deserved more than what she experienced.  The hospital was cold.  The nurse was frigid and was wrong for giving mom pain pills on an empty stomach after 2.5 days of not eating. Let’s just say the past six months have been hard.  So much to process.

My expectations of life, of where I was supposed to be, just fell flat on the floor.  All of a sudden I didn’t want anything.  I mourned the death of my mom, my best friend, and am still grieving.  The pain is hard, and still visits on a regular basis. The hole in my gut is my unwanted companion that makes itself known always.

And yet … there is something beautiful about the final handover of the baton in this race we call life.  I look back at all the lessons that prepared me for my “leg of the race”.  There is something about the passing of the baton that resonates.  When mom passed that baton from her hospital bed where she died, I wasn’t ready to jettison into victory. I’m still not ready…but I’m trying… still. I think about the lessons she taught me, the shaping of my work ethic, my love for community, her impressions on my spirit and her sage advice. I look at my face and I see her and I love what I see… I see her looking back at me.

And somehow, I can hear her in this very moment with tears pouring down my cheeks and her looking on from the sideline of the field, “Go Shaun. You got this!” And as I wipe my face, I’m resolved to win this race because I owe her everything. She made me who I am and I’m determined to carry on her legacy to make a difference in this world. Because of her, I can.

But when the hole returns, I’ll see it as a moment to pause, remember and reconnect with her words amd her spirit. God help me…please.

So last night, I wrote this poem in the spirit of our Christmas this season. To all the soldiers fighting COVID this holiday, you’re not alone. I dedicate this poem “A COVID Christmas” to my family and to all of you having a different Christmas this year.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Almost all had COVID, not sure about mouse

The stockings sat boxed by the tree over there,

In hopes that the family would surely be spared.

The lights were half hung and the cleaning half done.

Clear evidence of the battle that COVID had won.

Big sis knew best and would rise to the cause

Away from our home and beyond COVID claws.   

Baby tested positive and was snug in her bed;

While I, tested same, coughed with pain in my head;

Super Dad with immune powers avoided mishap

Retreated downstairs for the night while we napped.

Sounds of occasional coughing was heard.

The hum of blocked vents seemed so strangely absurd.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Grabbed Kleenex to cough and wipe phlegm like a flash.

I had to slow down or might faint by the dash.

‘No snow to reflect the full moon of the night.

Just COVID which swallowed all hope in my sight.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he was going to get sick.

“No Santa No” I yelled the closer they came.

“We got COVID St. Nick, it is just not the same”

I yelled a long list of social distancing rules.

I yelled “Where’s your mask you sweet bearded fool?

We gotta be safe, could you come back again?

I was not aware you made sick calls past ten.”

And to my surprise, he said “Just be cool

I know what you have because I ain’t no fool.”

He whipped out his mask that needed a caption

‘cause his was a super fantastic contraption.

He came to the door, why waste time on the soot.

No fancy entrance just sauntered on foot.

My heart was warmed as he slowly approached.

My personal space he refused to encroach.

I reset my gaze on my much wanted guest.

I had to stay upright yet give myself rest.

“Hello there my dear, how are you and the fam?

I brought you some things that will help you to heal.”

I know this is odd and not per normal plan.

I cleared my throat and was glad for the deal.

His sack was not big and seemed more like a satchel.

No toys or treats but some things more substantial

He magically whipped out a crockpot of soup

Some Vitamin C and some tissues to boot.

Cherry cough drops to open us up from nose to chest.

All the right things to get us feeling our best.

And just as we stood we were surrounded by light.

My chest opened up, my outlook more bright.

“May you feel much better come Christmas sunrise.

May the family be well and have a great Christmas time.”

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight –

“Wear the dam mask to rid COVID outright.

Get vaxed crazy folks and have greater compassion.

Merry Christmas to all, be light and love in action.”

– The End –

Truth and meaning matter when it comes to public spaces that form the backdrop of memories and experiences in community.  The history and back story of Smyrna’s prized downtown recently succumbed to urban trends that toss out the old for lack of innovation and appreciation for history.  Smyrna’s downtown area resulted from a need to change the image and economic prospects for a city failing in many ways.  It was the forethought and vision of an architect who worked closely with community and city leaders to create what we have now. The town center was eventually awarded a Design Excellence award for Smart Growth by the Urban Land Institute in 1997.  It would also be a highlight in the career of Architect Michael Sizemore of The Sizemore Group, Smyrna’s uniqueness a gift that would keep giving.

I recently took up the charge of joining with a passionate group of concerned citizens called “Smart Smyrna” to save the iconic fountain and traffic circle in Smyrna’s downtown.  After wrestling with the fact that the majority of Smyrna leaders don’t share the sentiment, we hoped the chain of events that involved removing key components of  our award-winning downtown could be reversed. 

On Monday night, October 18, 2021, the majority of our Council members voted to do away with history, identity and sense of place that inspired other “Smyrna’s” to pop up all over the United States.  Smyrna leadership bought into a vision that involves making the downtown “more” pedestrian friendly and adding “more” green space. Truth is, the more sustainable option was to re-purpose what we already have.  The artificial turf soon to replace clusters of beautiful and mature specimen trees is a nod towards the “problem” this project addresses and depletes resources from much needed areas.

When committing to such a task, it begs the question, “why fight when you stand to lose more than gain?”  Truth is powerful and yet it did not prevail in this particular cause.  The citizens were told there was overwhelming support and yet our Mayor continued to silence the voices of the people by not sharing public comments in the public engagement sessions. 

Moreover, he chose to dismiss the concerns of many to the point of excluding two senior Council members who had valid concerns voting to table the project after requested information was not provided.  These two Council members were not allowed to participate in the deliberation for this significant project for ALL of Smyrna. And yet, fellow Council members sat in silence participating in a process that was less than exemplary.  In addition, I have witnessed these two Council members be chided in public meetings unnecessarily by Mayor and other Council members for their concerns. They were pushed further outside the Mayor’s “circle of influence”.

The process was flawed from the start for the following reasons:

– The City did not engage the necessary studies (ie. traffic, feasibility, environmental, etc.) ahead of the conceptual design effort and proceeded to develop plans that had no connection to real life impacts.

– The City put forth a plan and a process with no consideration of context or adjacencies (ie. impacts to community center operations, impacts by Windy Hill project delayed completion, etc).

– The City omitted the brewery on the adjacent lot from the task force and public engagement discussions when UGA Today reported the Smyrna beer factory/event space will open in Fall 2022.  If not now then when? This is truly unfortunate.

– The City controlled the narrative by not sharing the feedback from the public engagement activities.  I am aware of many citizens who expressed concern about removing the fountain and/or traffic circle but were dismissed with responses that included standard talking points. 

– The City allowed the consulting engineers to present the traffic study at a late date into the process (on the night of the final vote) which required the general public to understand the nuances of the traffic study in a small amount of time using graphics that do not reflect the final design but rather different phases of the project…confusing. In addition, one of the assumptions made for the traffic study assumed a 15,000 sf retail space going on the open lot (deemed for the beer factory/event space).  Retail will require fewer cars than a bar/beer factory/event space.  This one assumption gives clear indication that the study was not realistic.

– The City presented only one design option to the community where superfluous options were laid out to give a sense of engagement that fell short of true needs and, hence, the bigger picture.

– The City disregarded its original approved budget of $2.5 mil for the downtown redevelopment on June 21st.  Instead, when cost overruns were excessive coming in at $5.7 mil and rising, they decided to report the project was $1 mil less than half the amount allocated in a shared SPLOST category with the South Cobb Drive Improvements (a much needed project).  It was said the SPLOST fund would be divided with $6.5 mil for both projects.  Council chose not to hold the Mayor accountable but instead to go along despite mounting budget concerns from Charles “Corky” Welch, Councilman for Ward 4 and also the Budget Committee Chair. Councilman Welch is one of the two Council members excluded from the downtown redesign “task force”.  The other is Susan Wilkinson, Councilwoman for Ward 5.

What became painfully obvious to me was witnessing the voice and hopes of the community be snuffed out by two words spoken repeatedly by our Mayor, “Done Deal”.  There were so many people who opposed but did not have the strength or agency to take issue with what the City was doing. Many citizens expressed fear of retaliation for speaking out.  I feared the same but decided the fight was worth the cost. We proudly stand for the voiceless and refuse to stand on the sidelines and play spectator. The Mayor must be held accountable for his actions and should have a higher regard for ALL   council members, especially the ones that disagree.  Needless to say, his leadership continues to divide this City and I am hopeful that our Mayor and Council can right the ship before it’s too late.

I dedicate this fight for meaning and truth to my mother, Lillie Latimore, who loved Smyrna enough to point out where the City fell short in meeting the needs of its citizens.  As a City Manager, she understood the tenets of good governance and taught me how to look for indicators of responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, etc.  I’m all in and will continue the good fight.  Smart Smyrna is here to stay.

I wrote this after learning about a dear friend who decided to end his life. Someone who was the kindest, sweetest, most generous, one of the most positive persons on the planet. All I could do was ask “why?”.

These two words matter so much today in a world where our very foundations are being shaken in a shifting sea of uncertainty. We have to combat a social culture where cell phones and politics continue to divide and isolate us from one another. It’s truly a different day. I realize now more than ever that identity, intention and purpose can awaken a sleeping giant with a reason to live. Suffering in silence is not the answer. We must seek help because the world needs to hear what we have to say.

At 3:32pm, I learned of a dear friend who committed suicide. He had been going thru some very challenging times personally and professionally. On the surface, it seemed like he had it all together but deep down, it was more than he could bare. He suffered in silence all the way to the end. He took his own life moments after spending an evening with a community of friends in an environment where help was just an arms reach away. Why didn’t he say something?

It seems surreal that I would type this about a friend who represented talent and truth to me. This friend opened a world up to me that I did not know existed. My interest for art would be nurtured and a whole course set for me to traverse and enjoy. He believed in me and I so appreciate that.

When I found out, I was at work, in shock going in and out of questioning whether the news was real. I wanted it to be a lie but it was not. I immediately wanted to be amongst his friends, his loved ones. So I headed to his art studio. I was expecting a large gathering but instead I found 2 friends who were “present” in mourning. We shared in a heartfelt conversation that landed me squarely in the middle of where I am today. These are a few thoughts shared in our exchange.

• “Identity starts with who you are today” words to live by.
• Your voice was given for a reason. Do not wait to be validated. Use your voice today. “There is no way to truly know why you’re given a voice, but be obedient with the talents you are given. People who live in truth live on forever in the hearts of those who love them.”

I read all of this to mean “Live on purpose with purpose!”

I am full of affirmation since these two points hit me squarely between the eyes. It also leaves me with great sadness because my friend is gone. May his death not be in vain.

I hope that in spite of the distance created by the busy-ness of life, that we somehow find the courage and strength to seek help when we need it most. May our eyes be keen to more than the visible and allow us to discern when a loved one needs to be coaxed from the cliff’s edge. May we open ourselves to be the help that someone seeks because we need each other more today than ever before. And, more importantly, may those who need help be encouraged to seek help in spite of the voices in their heads that say “you are less than, you are nothing, you are unworthy…” because “YOU are MORE than, YOU are EVERYTHING and YOU are worth MORE than you can imagine.”

To those considering suicide, please reconsider, seek help and be open to receiving help. I really don’t know the reason why my friend chose to take his life, I just know I wouldn’t wish the pain and grief felt by those left behind on my worst enemy. Choose LIFE and Seek Help!

Suicide Hotline

1-800-273-8255

This article is dedicated to the memory of my dear friend.

The following article was written for the 2018 Design Equilibrium, published by the American Institute of Architects Atlanta chapter. It has been edited slightly to reflect current affairs. Enjoy!

Architects have a tremendous impact on communities, particularly when it comes to the preservation of historical structures.  One example is John Carlsten who discovered the impending demolition of the Eiseman building while preparing an architectural guide for the 1975 AIA Convention.  The building was to be razed for the construction of the MARTA Five Points station.  Now, over 40 years later, a portion of the old Eiseman building façade still hangs prominently as public art inside the station. In this example, history brings ambience and appreciation of the past to a public setting. This inspirational factoid is a profound example of the impact Architects can have on the past, present and future.

One of the reasons Architects feel compelled to “save” gems like these is because older structures perpetuate a sense of community history.  While development is inevitable, balanced development preserves the finest aspects of a community’s architectural fabric. Smyrna is reaping the fruit of new development, thanks to the new Braves Stadium; yet, many residents and visitors are unaware of the community’s rich and varied history. As an Architect, resident and member of the Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council, I wish to be on the side of history that celebrates and respects this evolution.

The City of Smyrna was incorporated in 1872 (approximately 145 years ago) and is dubbed the “Jonquil City” because of the profusion of flowers that appears on the grounds of its residences each year at springtime.  Smyrna is one of the fastest growing cities in metro Atlanta and also one of the most desirable suburbs in the area. With close to 60,000 residents, the Jonquil City is also on track to become the most populous community in burgeoning Cobb County.

As a long resident of Smyrna (since 1997), I’ve watched this lovely community go through transformation while still remaining a prime location to raise a family. A “Smyrna Girl” at heart, my service to community takes place in a multitude of ways, most recently working with the City through SACC to develop the Jonquil City Historical Trail (JCHT). The journey began in 2015 when I was encouraged to pursue artful ventures in Smyrna since none existed, or so I thought. I soon learned about the formation of the Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council (SACC) and joined the Steering Committee.  At the inaugural meeting, I presented to membership the idea of applying for an “Our Town” grant sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.  It was to be a collaboration between the City of Smyrna and Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman Museum of Art.  My position on the ZMA Board as Outreach Chair provided an opportunity to meaningfully engage the two organizations beyond the confines of city and campus. 

As Adhoc Committee Chair, I led the initial exploration effort with a team of Arts Council members who ultimately crystallized a vision for the Trail that continues to resonate. Ultimately, the City of Smyrna decided to independently pursue a pilot project to build interest and establish a collaborative working history, which is favorable in the eyes of prospective grantors. The pilot program includes the marking of twenty sites significant to Smyrna’s development along the Atlanta Road corridor (formerly known as Dixie Highway) and an online tour accessible by any mobile-ready device. The team met regularly to set the direction for the project.

I shared the task of co-leading the JCHT initiative with Dr. William Marchione, retired history professor and Smyrna resident. He has authored a history of Smyrna (his seventh book), given countless lectures, and continues to interpret Smyrna’s history in ways that enlighten and inspire a richer sense of community.  It was Dr. Marchione who generated the original Jonquil City Historical Trail proposal during Smyrna’s Strategic Visioning effort several years ago.  His contribution to the JCHT initiative has been tremendous. 

Dr. Marchione and I spent the next two years collaborating with the City, reviewing sites, historical content, potential programming and developing the online tour with the City’s GIS Coordinator, Kathe Roper, and Special Projects Coordinator, Maxwell Ruppersburg.  The Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council and the City of Smyrna launched the JCHT in an “Opening Reception” held on October 15, 2017 at the Smyrna Public Library.  Attendees learned about the development of the JCHT and participated in an abbreviated public tour of the Trail.

With the launch behind us, the trail is being refined for Phase 2 which includes permanent markers at the initial 20 sites and planning the expansion of the trail. The City and SACC continue to collaborate in hopes of raising awareness and funding to support future planning and implementation.

As the Eiseman façade story illustrates, Architects have tremendous power to impact the community in very profound ways. With the advent of increased development in Smyrna, the hope is to share the history and wonder behind the structures that make Smyrna great, some which already have been lovingly preserved (Taylor Brawner House & Hall and Aunt Fanny’s Cabin). Our historical “gems” bring truth and meaning to the modern world. As Lord Acton quotes, “History is not a burden on the memory, but an illumination of the soul.”  We seek to highlight the stories so that a deeper sense of belonging can be experienced by all.

Please be part of the journey by participating and following the JCHT page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jonquilcityhistoricaltrail/.  Take the online tour of Smyrna’s history at http://arcg.is/1mnanP.  See you on the trail!