Jeff Burgar
Chances are, if you have talked with any candidate for upcoming office, or any of the many already elected without there being an election, they can’t name the Five Pillars of a Community.
The reason we say that is because, every candidate we’ve talked to, and the one election forum we attended, none have mentioned the Pillars, or variation of such, at all.
The so-called “Pillars” are well-known. And in fact, candidates have actually all talked about one or two or three of them. Of course they have. The Pillars are evident to any thinking person.
But all too often, the Pillars get lost in a shuffle of ideas, back-and-forth conversation, or turns down a path that looks the same, but really isn’t. Next thing you know, the talk is about “economic development,” “amenities,” “derelict buildings,” “trash on the streets” and more such. Easy targets that sound good but really don’t get down to basics.
Here is a short review. These are not original to this writer or this publication. They just make sense. So, when a candidate says, “We need to make sure our children want to come back from school and live here,” there’s a Pillar for that. When somebody says, “I am afraid to take a walk at night,” there’s a pillar for that. And when you put them all together, you have the foundation for a good community.
Try putting yourself in the shoes of somebody looking at moving to your community. They might be thinking of starting or buying a business. Maybe they are considering a job offer. Maybe they are being transferred in. Or how about somebody thinking of moving out? What might make them think that way?
So, with Pillars in no particular order of importance, and with a list of questions by no means complete:
Quality of Health Care. Among questions that might be asked are can you get a doctor? How far do you have to travel for particular needs? How are local nurses and doctors?
Quality of Education. What makes good schools and good teachers? Are schools modern and equipped?
Safety: Is this a safe community? What is the policing situation? Does the town look and feel safe?
Opportunities: Is this a good place to open a business like a store or a trade? Are good jobs available?
Recreation: Nobody expects a world-class ski hill in their backyard. But what about ball games? Golf? Water sports? What to do in summer and in winter? Add to this art and culture. Dance classes. Music and drawing and photography clubs. “Get together” groups. So much more.
This isn’t an end-all be-all list. It is just a starting list of what it takes to keep, and grow, a healthy and dynamic community. Any community leader can do a lot worse than just concentrating on these items. Sadly, too much of leadership is often consumed by one track minds of one trick ponies. Or jealousy. Or hatred and “looking out for Number One” instead of looking after the community in which one is elected.
Let’s add one more item to the above list. Commonly known as the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Too often, that also needs repeating.