Districts of Colchester Landing
The city-state of Colchester Landing has been, essentially since its inception, divided between several districts. These districts are essentially autonomous regions, governed and administered by District Mayors aided by a special cabinet of ministers, known as the District Council. Each district sees to its own affairs, but coordinates with surrounding districts, and all are subject to the authority of the president.
History
The city-state of Colchester Landing has, for the majority of its history, been divided into several districts, the greater number of which came into being during the rebuilding efforts under governor Leander Hamilton. During the 14 years prior to the Great Fire, the city-state was possessed of a rather small population, which largely congregated around the docks, in the area of what is today the Dockside District. This early settlement was entirely unplanned in form and very crowded. Due to the nature of its construction, that is, being nearly entirely from wood, the city was also prone to fire. With the near annihilation of the city by the Great Fire of 1777, the then governor, Leander Hamilton, set about rebuilding the city as a proper, well-planned and respectable bastion of civilization. It is from this ideal that the creation of the various districts stems.
The oldest of the districts which make up the modern city, that is, the Middleburg Historic District, was set up almost out of necessity. While rebuilding efforts were taking place in the future Dockside District, the now homeless inhabitants were given temporary accommodation in the area to the north, on the hill. Many remained in these cottages even after construction was complete, and it is due to this that so many of the cottages remain to this day.
With the rapid increase in population following the rebuilding of the city, and its new reputation as a place of culture and civilization (a sentiment spread by the Praetonian government in an attempt to populate the lucrative colony), several more additions to the city had to be constructed, and it was with these that the modern form of the city began to take shape.
Administration and Structure
The modern city of Colchester Landing is divided, as mentioned above, into eight distinct districts, namely the: Northborrough, Westgate, Eastgate, Dockside, Middleburg Historic, Sunnyside, Wellsville and Nighwall Districts. Each district is overseen by an independent District Mayor, who is elected every three years in local district elections, and is aided in the day-to-day administration of the District by a District Council.
The District Council was set up as a means of lessening the onus of responsibility on the District Mayors, and in order to simplify the running of the state. Each Mayor has a Council, comprised of several Ministers, namely the Minister of Education, Minister of Public Safety and Police, Minister of Religious Affairs, Minister of District Defense, Minister of Public Transit and the Minister of Sanitation and Infrastructure, among others. These individuals handle affairs which fall within their jurisdiction and within their district, and often cooperate with the Ministers of surrounding Districts. The District Mayor acts as a means of steering the Ministers and as public spokesperson for the local government. The Council generally hold terms of 5 years, and thus act as a point of stability to the government.
Etymology and History of District Names
Many of the current districts obtained their names originally as unofficial, colloquial nicknames for certain areas or in reference to particular landmarks. For example, the district of Middleburg obtained its name as it came to be situated in the middle of the future city. It was also the location of the original fort, now long gone, within which the governor stayed. Similar histories are behind such names as Nighwall (from “nigh the wall” in reference to how the district was built near where the old defensive walls were layed), Wellville (for its having been built around an old well which belonged to one of the surrounding farms), Eastgate and Westgate.
Some of the newer districts, such as Sunnyside (which only really began to expand during the 1940s as a holiday destination for tourists), were named as to sound similar to existing districts, but did not generally arise as a result of natural, colloquial speech.
District Culture
While all citizens of Colchester Landing see themselves, first and foremost, as Colchesters, many are also fiercely proud of the district within which they live. Indeed, a playful rivalry has become something of a public pastime amidst the Districts, each trying to better the others. This fierce loyalty to one’s district is, in part, a result of the tradition, extending as far back as 1779, of giving each district its own flag, coat of arms and motto. The reason for this was, initially, as a means of community building, as it was believed that it would give the new citizens of Colchester something to be proud of, something around which they could bond, and thus that a sense of patriotism would be fostered.
The motto of each District is traditionally in Latin, and usually reference some aspect of local history, something which the locals are quite proud of, or something deemed as quintessentially representing that district’s culture. Below are the mottos for the modern districts:
Northborrough: PRO DEO PATRE CUSTODEQUE NOBIS (For God, Our Father and Protector)
Westgate: ULTIMI DORMITURI PRIMI SALTANTES (Last to Sleep, First to Dance).
Eastgate: EXPERRECTI MATUTINI PRIMI LABORANTES (Early to Rise, First to Work).
Dockside: A NOBIS OMNIA BONA (From Us Comes All Prosperity).
Middleburg Historic District: PRIMI STANTES ULTIMI CASURI (First to Stand. Last to Fall).
Sunnyside: SEMPER LAETI (Forever Joyful).
Wellsville: EX IGNIBUS ORIMUR (We Are Born of the Flames).
Nighwall: SEMPER PARATUS (Always Ready).
In Popular Culture
The idea that each district has its own, distinct, culture is highly ingrained in the popular mindset of the city. Many local jokes and business catch-phrases and slogans play into widely held stereotypes about the inhabitants of various districts, and tourist attractions within these areas have leaned heavily into these stereotypes for marketing.
It is also something of a cultural shorthand, especially in locally produced sitcoms and comedies, for characters to be characterizations of these stereotypes. For example, in the comedy The Other Side of the Street, which follows the lives of three families living on the borders of three different districts, each family is comprised of various, tongue-in-cheek representations of their respective district: the Willertons living in the Northborrough District being highly religious and traditional; the Avent family, living in the Westgate district, being essentially party-crazed rich kids etc .