Ten Warreners and two Bristolians conducted a very animated Dialogue on December 18 at The Second Story Theatre on Market Street (thanks to host Ed Shea). As one participant immediately pointed out, Warren is "the smallest city in the smallest county in the smallest state. We are unique!" A frank discussion of "them" and "us" issues followed, referring at that point to city dynamics. The group then moved on first to Warren's waterfront, downtown and rural development issues and then to the larger question of the pros and cons of life in a small city in eastern Rhode Island. What happens when the city undergoes--as Warren has--a surge of popularity and inquiry from people who "don't know Warren" but like its appeal? How do citizens of all ages, town council members, planners, special interest groups and "outsiders" identify and protect what makes Warren special to so many people? These interesting questions turned the original "them/us" dynamic into a very different concept for the group. At the end, folks were talking about "ours"--our downtown, our waterfront, our businesses, our neighborhoods, our Warren--and contemplating a series of events based on that image.

For another point of view on the Warren Dialogue, visit www.yourwarren.com, a town-based website written and edited by Peter Gresch, who participated in the Dialogue.