October 17, 2019
Accepting of Anything… Proud of Nothing.
At some point, we have to draw a line. We have to make a choice. We have to decide that something is unacceptable, lest everything become acceptable and we acclimate
Upkeep
Recovery must be vigilantly maintained.
Apathy is always waiting in the shadows to take hold again. It is critical that a community is vigilant in terms of maintaining its new standards and ensures decline is not allowed to talk hold again. This phase is recognition that a community has successfully achieved recovery and is working to protect that progress.Assistance
Civic Wellness Assessment
It’s easy to lose sight of what you set out to do and sometimes a fresh set of eyes can help you see what is right in front of you. All too often communities become numb to conditions, organizations and efforts starting to slip. The Wellness Assessment is an honest look at the core of a community. Through this process, participants will have the opportunity to take a cold hard look at how their town looks, feels and functions from an outsider’s perspective and provide direction as to how those issues can be addressed.
June 18, 2019
Setting the Standards
As is becoming a welcome routine, I joined my neighbor for beers on his front porch last Friday, for what he calls “porch pirating.” We cover a range of topics
June 4, 2019
Own Your Issues
Sometimes I really struggle to figure out how people come to their conclusions. Some of the widely accepted solutions to combat community decline are fascinating. Often they have little to
May 14, 2019
It’s Not the Red Tape, Stupid
Another town and another enlightening conversation with an elected official. Over a cup of coffee, this particular mayor was filling me in on his city's strategy to rebuild their economy.
April 9, 2019
Pick Up Your Place
We don't often give credit to how much appearances affect us and shape our opinions. We judge nearly everything based on looks. We see the way people dress and groom
March 4, 2021
Pulled Apart
“This Rural Liberal Sets Out to Talk to His Pro-Trump Neighbors” was the title of the article my mother passed along. In the piece, the author attempted to connect with
