By Adam Aasen
Jeff Worrell, a board member for the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, was sitting in a Starbucks one day talking to friends about what he loved about Carmel – great schools, the arts, beautiful homes.
But all too often, he said, he hears about people who want to focus on the negative. He said there are lots of anonymous trolls on message boards who tend to overlook the great things going on in this city.
“So I decided I was going to put a spotlight on the great things going on in Carmel,” he said.
That’s why Worrell spent his own money to launch www.gooddaycarmel.com, a website that will tell human interest stories that make people feel good about where they live. The site launched this month and features event listings, videos and blog posts written by city leaders such as CRC Director Corrie Meyer, City Councilor Ron Carter and Tania Moskalenko, CEO for the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts. Mayor Jim Brainard is featured on a podcast.
Worrell will continue to write his weekly column for Current and envisions his website to be just another way to spread positive news.
“The Current has been a wonderful outlet, but there are more positive stories out there than I’m sure the newspaper can print,” he said. “We won’t be selling ads and competing. We are giving away advertisements to good organizations and events.”
Worrell emphasized that the city government did not pay for his site. He said the website isn’t political at all and the goal isn’t to make any particular city leaders or politicians look good. He would rather focus on the “unsung heroes” such as artists, volunteers, coaches and teachers.
“I’m going more for the individual contribution,” he said. “I want to publicize the stuff that wouldn’t normally get coverage.”
He also wants to add a marketplace where local artists and businesses can sell their products. Worrell is also selling his own coffee mugs to spread the brand and help recoup his costs.
And anyone from any political background is able to contribute or post.
“I don’t care what your political opinions are, if you have a great positive story to tell, we want to hear it,” he said.
To contribute, you can e-mail Worrell at [email protected].
