Community must help in city issues

I've spent the better part of my newspaper career - or so it seems - trying to analyze issues within our community and then trying to arrive at solutions. I've lost many more battles than I've won. And I'm certain to lose more of those battles in the future.

The problem with any community - not just Sikeston - is the delicate balance to juggle the needs of all the citizens given budget limitations. If we had an endless stream of revenues into the city, we could address virtually any issue brought to the city's attention. But you and I both know that will never happen. So we elect people to make the hard and prudent decisions on how to spend those resources that will grow our community and address the social issues that are a constant source of complaints. It is never an easy job and often it becomes impossible.

A community Roundtable meeting is scheduled for Monday night to allow the citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions to our elected officials. I sincerely applaud the council's approach of reaching out for ideas and suggestions on how and when and where to spend our limited resources. They may even hear suggestions on additional ways to generate new revenues. Either way, the success of this first Roundtable will depend on the participation and the ideas discussed.

Here's an irony that I see on a daily basis. There is almost universal agreement within our community - or so it seems - on the issues we face daily. We all want a safe community, we want adequate and improved roads, we want more jobs and improved housing and we want a community in which we can all take pride regardless of our neighborhood. But there is less than universal agreement on how we address all of these issues within a tight budget. Sounds familiar doesn't it? Our state and nation find themselves in an identical position. Without voices from within the community sharing views, decisions on a community level will be made by too few people. That can lead to decisions that please a few and irritate many others. The issue is sacrifice and priorities. That's as simple as it gets.

I believe now as I have in the past that Sikeston residents are willing to pay more for a guarantee of change. Some within the community don't share that opinion and who knows, they might be right. But if the citizens are given an effective plan for change and given a timeline for that change, I believe there will be community support.

Let me give you two brief parallels that are not comparing apples to apples but there a point of illustration nonetheless. I have had the pleasure of working on the Kenny Rogers Telethon for a number of years and I have also witnessed the time and effort and energy that has been given to the hospital in Sikeston. All involved in those two campaigns are to be commended and praised for their tireless efforts. It clearly illustrates that given a worthwhile project, the spirit of this community will respond.

I wonder why we can't seem to generate that same level of enthusiasm and support for projects that will improve the entire community and thus attract jobs and newcomers and all of those aspects that are equally important to our community. I know the answer. And if you think about it, you do too.