Opinion - Our community

His church is located on Henry Street in Saratoga Springs and Bishop Byrd has been there since 1981.

Earlier in the week before the story came out, Bishop Byrd was gracious enough to visit our offices as part of an ongoing editorial board series where different members of the community meet with the staff for an informative chat that covers a wide array of topics. The first guest in October was Charles Wait, President of the Adirondack Trust Company.

Bishop Byrd is one of those people you meet in life that makes a lasting impression. This great man has seen it all up close as he strives to improve the lives of the downtrodden of our society while also inspiring those of us who have been more fortunate.

Whether or not you voted for president-elect Barack Obama, it’s hard not to admire the former community organizer’s commitment to getting people more involved in their communities. His presidency could usher in an era of unprecedented volunteerism.

I’ll be the first to admit in my own life that I’m too often an admirer of people like Bishop Byrd from afar versus doing good deeds myself. I find the same excuses many of us do - too busy with work, not enough time in the day, have to watch the Giants win another Super Bowl, etc. It may be early for New Year’s resolutions, but mine is to stop with the excuses. There’s no better time to get started than the holiday season.

The economic situation is hurting us all. Soup kitchens are seeing more visitors then ever before and a greater number of people are seeking out warm places to sleep at night. It’s depressing when you think about it, but let’s try not to dwell on it and follow the example of Bishop Byrd by uniting as a community here in Saratoga County.