For the past two evenings experts have guided locals on how to better communicate. THE BEST part about the forums is that the talk wasn’t all pie in the sky.
It’s somewhat odd to think we need help in spouting off. Most of us have enough hot air to lift a blimp.
And while that may not have been the purpose of the forums hosted by Thrive Allen County and Humboldt’s B&W Trailer Hitches, a most assured outcome was a better understanding of what our neighbors think would help move the county in a more prosperous direction.
And I’ll give this to small town America: We’d give our heart and soul to preserve its uniqueness.
Not a one suggested Iola or Humboldt or any of the even smaller towns dotting Allen County throw in the towel. Instead, they voiced ideas about how we can build on our valuable traditions.
The first was readily obvious. Small-towners are naturally neighborly. And before you brush that off as inconsequential, realize it’s the antidote to apathy and its sister maladies, including depression, violence, drug abuse and dropping out of society altogether.
For many of us, we stay around — or even come back — because we have a sense of obligation to our hometowns that gave us the deep roots necessary to develop into strong, caring citizens.
Case in point, LaHarpe’s Ray Maloney.
A self-made success, Maloney is now in the “give-back” phase of his life.
His motto: “People who can, should.”
“The community has been good to me,” he said at Tuesday night’s forum. “Now, I want to return the favor.”
Maloney’s vision includes donating massive structures on the old Klein Tool site north of Moran to house a building and industrial trade programs for area high school students.
Maloney is just one of several locals who want to reinvest in their communities.
It’s important to note that goodwill like Maloney’s cannot be taken for granted and comes only when community members make the effort to invest in their communities, including attending school functions long past the time of their own children’s involvement; joining service clubs and churches; running for office or community boards; and becoming involved in community campaigns.
With the grants from the Kansas Health Foundation, there’s real money to turn the ideas that float to the top by group consensus into concrete results.
Such funding, which requires local buy-in, will help plant valuable seeds to promote home-grown industries, facilities and programs.
It’s a leg-up, not a handout, and, like Ray, we wouldn’t want it any other way.
— Susan Lynn
A good motto to follow, those who can, should
