Mike Feazel

Describe one of the biggest surprises of your life.
Despite spending years running and in the gym, I had a heart attack a year and a half ago. Big surprise. Good news is that I’m fine now, and maybe even healthier.
Describe one of the tragedies/struggles of your life.
I don’t know if it’s the biggest, but it’s the newest. My 85-year-old dad has always been the healthiest, most vigorous person I know – out dancing and having more fun than almost anyone I know. But he just lost the sight in his one good eye, and now has to try to figure out how to continue living that active life, while suddenly realizing that even he might be vulnerable. And the rest of us see that if even he can have problems, it can happen to any of us.
The good news is that he’s taking it with a really good attitude: “I’m just gonna deal with the hand I’m dealt and do the best I can.” It’s an attitude that will serve him well – and a lesson for all of us on the best way to live.
Describe a dream you have for your future.
We really enjoyed living overseas for several years before we had kids. And now that they’re grown it might be nice to do some traveling again.
Describe a fear you have for your future.
Well, I worry I may turn my fishing boat over – again. But other than that I guess I’m pretty good.
Here’s your chance to sound off. If you could give one public service announcement or one word of advice to the public at large, what would it be?
This is a problem everywhere: We can’t just keep cutting spending forever. We have to invest in our infrastructure, our kids, and everything else that’s important to us. It’s true for our schools, where low salaries for teachers and lack of school supplies are hamstringing our kids’ future, and by extension our own. It’s true when government leaders decide to cut budgets, letting bridges and roads deteriorate and sacrificing long-term efficiencies for short-term cuts. And they’re doing it just because it’s politically easier to say “I cut taxes” than to explain that it was just smart to make a long-term investment in the future.
We’re seeing the same thing here at Lake Monticello where for years boards refused to raise the money to keep up our buildings and playgrounds, meaning we’ve all had to make do with inadequate, and even illegal, facilities. And the people who came along after those board members now have to figure out a way to pay for what they should have paid for years ago.