Be Part Of Solution, Not The Constant Complaining
Have you ever heard anyone say: `What’s in it for me?’ or, `I don’t want to get involved,’ or `It is not my problem’?
Well, it’s time to wake up!
It is our problem. We cannot abdicate our responsibility to create solutions to our community problems. Inaction can only make the many problems worse. Who is responsible, and what can we do to re-establish our community standards and values? Are we part of the solution or part of the problem? What has changed? Is it the people, the government, or society in general?
It is easy to blame government. Yes, there is some responsibility there, because our governments, especially local governments, should be setting a good example. But the ultimate responsibility belongs with us, the citizens.
When I was new to Coeur d’Alene more than 30 years ago, neighbors shared back yards. Neighbors took responsibility for cleaning the block, cutting the weeds, sweeping the sidewalks and watching the neighborhood kids. Then, kids had the right of way, and drivers watched carefully and drove slowly in the residential areas knowing that kids do unexpected things. The parks and beaches were full of families enjoying the space, and adults took responsibility for any child that needed supervision. In general our communities had small-town atmospheres and friendly people that were proud to live here.
Today, some people and some businesses seem to be in a hurry to go every place and have a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude. What happened to the attitude of “How can I enhance my community and my business/home/lifestyle?” We see a much larger population. Cars, ATVs and motorcycles speed through neighborhoods. Some kids and some adults vandalize - just for the fun of it. The most serious change is a turn toward the compromising of community values.
Well, let us look at minor items like neighborhood and public sidewalk access. By definition, public right of way means for use by the general public. But what do we see today? First of all, new areas have sidewalks adjacent to the street. Should our neighborhood streets be lined with backyard fences that silently say, `Stay out; we don’t need to know you?’ On the other hand, should the neighborhood be treelined streets linked by front yards that say, `Hi neighbor, welcome to OUR neighborhood.’ Who has responsibility for the litter, weed control or snow removal in those `no-man’s land’ fence-lined areas? Is that city property or neighborhood property? Is it good long-range planning for sidewalks to be at the curb in a region that needs to plow snow, or where children walk to school next to high volumes of traffic? For over half the year these curbside sidewalks are impossible to use with either several feet of plowed snow on them or inches of gravel. A person with a wheelchair, bicycle or walking is in danger. One mistake will put them on the road instead of the sidewalk.
Other communities have prohibited this dangerous practice. Requiring planting strip setbacks between the curb and sidewalk is a standard community value in some cities. Longrange planning can prevent or reduce hazardous areas, and citizen action can help by accepting the responsibility of taking (or forcing) action.
Then, what about those compromises that encroach on or block access to public space. That may be streets, sidewalks, trails, parks, beaches or any other public access points. When does “compromise” equate to “acquiescence” and a gradual loss of use to the public? Do we ever see examples of a compromise of another past compromise? That incremental acquisition of public access areas can be seen today in abundance. Officials operating in a vacuum of public involvement do make mistakes. We cannot complain as a community if we are not willing to get educated on the issues and involved in the solutions. If the problem requires local government action, demand that your elected officials do what is needed. Then do your part to help. A powerful and vocal neighborhood can fight City Hall (or the county) and win. Most elected officials do listen if enough citizens get involved. Even an official who cries `sour grapes’ or `compromise at any cost’ cannot ignore an organized public forever.
Do not wait for others. Organize your neighborhood. Meet your neighbors and form a neighborhood association. Get out and clean a block. Talk to that developer or association about cleaning that fenced off streetscape; ask businesses to clean street fronts.
Again, we must remember that most people in the area are good, friendly, moral and hardworking citizens. They make great home and business neighbors and want to do their part. We all need to feel part of something bigger than ourselves. Groups of neighbors can accomplish more together than the sum of their individual talents. Do not wait. Do something today to make our community better. Don’t complain - work for change - before it is too late.