The clock, a survivor of Urban Renewal, was originally located in front of a jewelry store on the West side of Water Street near its intersection with Third Street.

When I was on the City Council, I was told that repairing the clock was not feasible: “It is too expensive to fix; we need to gut the interior workings and replace them with electronics.” To me, that was an unacceptable decision for a clock that has been part of our history for decades.

As it turns out, what was needed was leadership at City Hall — someone to simply direct staff to wind the clock once a week!

And while that clock has been ticking, Newburgh has been undergoing a transformation.

There has been a “park blitz.” Parks throughout our city have been cleaned up. Trees have been trimmed or removed. Overgrown brush has been manicured. Drug paraphernalia, needles, and garbage have been cleared away. Our children and parents finally have welcoming places where they can gather, play, and enjoy their neighborhoods.

Delano Hitch is being revitalized! Locker rooms and concession stands that had been used as storage sheds have been cleaned up, repaired, and repainted. The turf on the baseball diamond has been manicured, and tons of red clay have been added to the warning tracks. The dugouts have been repainted, and lighting fixtures have been replaced.

These improvements all stem from a change in leadership at City Hall.

Department heads have been encouraged to innovate, take initiative, and lead their teams with greater independence and accountability. We can clearly see the results as we drive through the city we all love.

These are not just abstract promises or plans on paper. They are visible, tangible improvements that are making a noticeable difference in our community.

Sometimes leadership means knowing when something complicated really isn’t complicated at all.

Sometimes it means simply winding the clock.

The antique clock in front of City Hall is working!