From trash receptacles, wayfinding signage and bike racks through Santa’s house, green corridors and ArtPlan’06, Northfield’s Director of Resource and Park Planning Howard Merriam (pictured here with myself and Director of Public Works Heidi Hamilton) has been there with his ears to listen and his biceps to help out. Now it appears that he may be squeezed out through a bureaucratic process. Shouldn’t city staff be rewarded for being responsive to the citizens?