Do you realize You Are Where You Live. So much of who you are and what you do is because you live where you do.
People put a lot of systematic thought into choosing a job and career and selecting a spouse or life partner. Your choice of neighborhood is equally important. It’s where you live, your neighbors, where your children attend school, and often where you attend church.
Americans are more mobile than they once were. They don’t live in the same community their entire life. They move, and they move often. But in small communities such as Elizabethton, many residents have deep roots.
What makes Elizabethton great? How can we make it better and a more prosperous place? How can we build on our unique strengths and local identity?
How can we make sure the place we call home is welcoming and inclusive? How can we work together to make our community the best possible place to live?
These are questions we need not only to ask ourselves, but to ask the candidates for City Council in the November election. We must become passionate about our community. Far too long, we have been too passive about the place we live. We have not demanded much of our leaders. As long as our tax rate remains low, someone picks up our garbage, the lights stay on, and we have water, we are satisfied.
But the future will demand much more, and so should you.
First, there needs to be a sense of optimism and trust, something that is often lacking in our local city and county government. Even though people and groups don’t always see eye to eye, they should respect different perspectives and differences of opinion; they can disagree without being disagreeable.
We need to elect leaders who have their eye on long-term solutions, not quick fixes. They must know how to make wise use of limited resources. We need leaders who can and will work with residents, institutions and other community leaders to solve problems and create new opportunities.
Part of what makes a community great is having involved citizens. They know how to engage with public decision-making bodies that represent them, and they do engage as a matter of personal pride and civic responsibility. One good example is Charles McQueen, who died just a few days ago. Charlie, as he was known to friends, was a lifelong resident of the Blackbottom Community. He loved Blackbottom and Elizabethton. Years ago he saw the need for better infrastructure in the area, and he began attending City Council meetings, where he lobbied for improvements on Mill Street. It took time, but it happened. Today, Mill Street is no longer a neighborhood street, but a major thoroughfare in the city. The improvements of a wider street and better sidewalks made for a more attractive and welcoming community, all thanks to Charlie’s involvement with government and his persistence.
We need more Charlie McQueens, and leaders who will work to grow a strong, broad economic base in Elizabethton that offers opportunities for all residents, no matter their level of education, age or other demographic details.
Also, great places have strong public infrastructure designed with people in mind. The infrastructure systems we often take for granted, like street repair and water systems, need to be maintained. Our public libraries, public parks and green spaces are a source of community pride. Planning and zoning decisions should be made with the community in mind.
Where we live defines who we are. It’s time we become passionate about our community and work to make it a better, more prosperous place, as well as an inviting place.