For years, the citizens of Franklin had become accustomed to their City Council meetings being more like a circus sideshow than the productive work sessions they were intended to be.

And we say that with all due respect to circus sideshows.

Over the last few months, however, something new and different has been occurring at City Hall: civil, productive meetings where the people’s business is getting done.

We can only speculate as to the reasons for the newfound spirit of professionalism and cooperation. A new city manager who brings to the job decades of experience and a plan of action? A new mayor, whose goal of restoring civility and order to government proceedings is being achieved.? A sense of urgency shared by all that the old, unproductive ways of doing business would only serve to plunge the local economy into deeper despair.?

Perhaps it is a combination of all those factors and many more.

Regardless of the reasons, it is a refreshing change to witness those who were selected to conduct the city’s business actually conduct themselves in a way that is conducive to doing business. We have high hopes that this is a sign of good things to come in 2013.