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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Do we accept too much and act too little?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What is the worst problem in our community?
Traffic? Overdevelopment? Crime? Homeowners not keeping up their property?
If you had to narrow it down to just one, what would it be?
My answer would be “acceptance.” I think a factor in all of the above problems is the wide acceptance that what will happen will happen and there is nothing to be done about it. A community “que sera sera” syndrome.
We accept the common belief that government officials won’t help. We accept that decline will continue. We accept that we’ll eventually move.
It’s not apathy. People do care. We care if neighbors park a semi truck in the yard. We care when police make repeated visits across the street.
But we are busy. We are making a living, raising a family and juggling the tasks those goals require. It’s easier to shake our heads and complain that it is all inevitable.
A couple of weeks ago, when I wrote about community image problems, there were some interesting online replies.
A couple of excerpts:
“Centerville, Snellville, South Gwinnett have not “managed” their images particularly well. While there is crime elsewhere and white flight is real … the affected communities have not put in place Norcross-like improvement plans, or Decatur-like neighborhoods. … “Bad behaviors,” whether driving or home upkeep, have not been addressed by neighbors or neighborhood associations.
In other areas, civic leadership has worked with politicians to push forward positive imaging…The leadership will need to spring from a diverse (and I mean integrated — socially, religiously, and economically varied) and committed group of folks who’ve moved beyond finger-pointing and… toward positive change.”
Or this one:
“The difference between the communities that get negative press and those that don’t is … the amount of activism and involvement by local residents…People are quick to condemn the police and local politicians for any downturn. Look at yourself…YOU allowed it to happen. The residents make the difference. … Politicians will follow the majority. You just have to show up with numbers and be vocal.”
Last week, District 3 County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, who represents the Snellville, Shiloh and Centerville areas - as well as areas through Dacula — held a town hall meeting at Snellville City Hall.
The citizens who showed up talked about zoning densities, green space, senior housing, the U.S. 78 median project, the new express bus service and other issues. Some agreed with Beaudreau’s positions. Others did not. The important thing was they attended. They spoke out. They met people who shared their concerns.
Beaudreau said he was pleased with the turnout. I thought it should have been higher. It was an opportunity to tell our county commissioner what we need, and there were plenty of empty seats.
Beaudreau is having another town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Monday (April 30) at the Centerville Community Center on Bethany Church Road.
Do you plan to attend? Is more citizen leadership needed in the Snellville/Centerville area?
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