I didn't want to have the first post be about the author. I wanted to give an example first.
With that out of the way we'll delve into the creator of this blog a bit. I am tired of hearing people complain about the city council, even though those people couldn't name who is on the council. I am tired of people on the other boards that should be retired and are too out of touch to realize what is really going on. I am tired of people complaining about these 'geezers', but not volunteering to take their place. I'm tired of a board that fights a fence that brings a preschool to our town because they don't want a fence on the school's property. (IT'S NOT A PUBLIC PLAYGROUND!)
I believe that people that use the term civic minded don't really know what they're saying. I believe that our bank needs to back a loan that helps the economy of our town without a 90% guarantee from the government. I think it is stupidity that people are sitting on empty buildings when there are so many people interested in starting a business. I believe that if we don't fix things ourselves, no one else is going to do it. I believe that the trace is our untapped life line to the outside world. I believe that experience and wisdom is needed as much as new blood, as long as that experience isn't expressed through "we tried that in '85 and it didn't work" or the new blood throws away money on shaky grounds.
I believe this town is on the verge of becoming a model destination town, and a place where people want to live. I believe that there will be more negative headlines before positive ones surface, but people aren't still afraid to walk into the Glenwood bowling alley are they? This too shall pass, not buried, but pass. I know that this town has a solid foundation that is only going to last so long if more people don't jump in. I know certain people think highly of themselves, even though not every one agrees.
Community betterment is great, but if we don't do something about empty buildings and houses they tend to spread. I think MABA has a great idea... but it can't be a small club or have superior attitudes. Malvern needs some kind of business coalition, but there will be hurt feelings when it is done and not everyone is equal or included. They will need to get over it. I believe that the school is one of our greatest assets, yet we pay them nothing and therefor don't keep many good teachers. (There are a handful, but a lot have moved on) I believe our town was used as an 'undesirable' destination by our county's largest and most powerful entity, do I even have to name him? I think we should all look at listing our houses somewhere else after that entity has cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal actions.
I want people to get involved, not just complain. I want people to comment and have intelligent debates about what should be happening. I want this town to become what it is already on it way to being... the next day trip for Omaha money. The people with ideas and purpose need to step forward and allow the tired and burnt out to step away. These people have served their town through it's worst times, and we need to thank them for it, even if we didn't agree. It's time for positive thought and action. It's time for the old guard to retire and enjoy life without these 'burdens'. You've served your purpose, now let us serve ours.
Who is John Galt? You'll hear that a lot. An apathetic cry that turned into the hope of a nation. Which are you going to be? Apathetic or will you get out of the way of progress?
Please clarify MABA as being a small club and superior attitudes. MABA would LOVE, WANTS, WISHES FOR more members that want to work to put Malvern on peoples mind. That is the goal, to help draw people to town to shop, visit, live, have a great experience. We have great businesses in town, any event is simply to draw people to town, and to make it a fun place... Please give example of superior attitudes so it can be corrected... Input from businesses would be spectacular.... bring it on!!
ReplyDeleteI wrote this up once and it didn't take so sorry if it's doubled.
ReplyDelete"Small Club" - This group needs to be more than a few people. Not stating that they exclude, but more need to be involved.
"Superior Attitudes" - It is an opinion of some. Right or not, it is out there. It is a word of caution and an attempt to be informative. If MABA knows the perception is out there they can better remedy it.
Thank you for comments. It helps me see how my statements are taken and how to word things better in the future.
I have had no experience of superior attitudes, I have just heard some express that feeling. MABA has done great things, but as I've stated before some feel to turn a profit or do well in life is only accomplished by ruthlessness or corruption. I don't agree with that, but I've known a lot of people that have a chip on their shoulder for anyone or anything that is seen as 'better than them'.
I've never understood it. Just like when someone called you rich in HS. Why is that an insult, and do you really think I'm rich? Thanks, but no, I'm not.
MABA is great, Businesses are great, city positions do great jobs, so forth and so on. None should be yelling their own praises from the water tower. Not saying any one entity is, but it seems to be taken that way by some. It's a difficult line to walk between self promotion and self glorification.
Some are having problems with comments. I'll see if I can work on that. But, I do have an email I was asked to post.
ReplyDelete"The general feeling is that MABA will except NO criticism of their organization, what's so ever. There is a serious image problem with MABA, and, the City At Large right now. This, is fact. When certain segments feel slighted, it's hard on recruitment.
"I've heard from different members that the "Arts Festival" loses money, and from others it makes money. That Maui loses money, and others that it makes money. NO CONTINUITY. If this was coming from a say, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER (On, or off the record), there would be serious issues with the entire bodies credibility. Image issue? Yes. Certainly. When commented upon that I personally know, a member said, "No there is not!", and walked off.
"I'll be the first to admit my short comings and I GUARENTEE you this entire community has an image problem. If you don't care what "Outsiders" think, you should. They are the ones that MUST come into our community and spend money, buy houses, and send their children to our schools. There are people who have lived here for 30 years that are still "Outsiders" to some. There must be and entire town wide attitude adjustment.
"MABA members that are unhappy, need to stop complaining to me and step up for yourselves. If the person who is the event coordinator for the arts festival, has a son who sells art there, ie, makes money off of it, people take notice of things like this. Like it's just a big marketing tool for her kid, at others expense. I don't think that's personally the case, but once again... IMAGE PROBLEM.
"Perception is reality. If it was just one person I'd tell them to buzz off myself. I can assure you. It's not just one person."
Here is an example of someone that personally knows of some image issues. I, nor he, is accusing MABA of being evil or anything but good intentions. Public perception is what it is. MABA needs to know that it is out there so they can do something about it.
ReplyDeleteAs is the case for anyone or any entity, you can put your hands up and say, "they're crazy" or "that's ridiculous", or you can work to remedy the situation.
Good luck with your recruitment and future projects, but this may need to be addressed... or it can be ignored.