I have spent most of this week and part of last week talking with candidates for the Watonga City Council.
They all have, of course, different personalities and perspectives. Some have very clear agendas and priorities they want to seek through city government. A few are more go-with-theflow candidates. They come from all walks of life and colors of the human spectrum. There are managers and guys who turn wrenches, stay home moms and retirees.
Most, if not all, want to go back to the future, that is, restore this town to the Watonga they remember as children, as young adults, 20 or 30 years or more ago.
The one thing they all have in common is the desire to improve the quality of life in this little town. In my book, there is no nobler pursuit. They want city streets that are safe and pleasant to drive. They want tidy neighborhoods that reflect the unity of the inhabitants of the homes. They want good jobs for a welltrained workforce who choose to make their homes here. They hope for the expansion of businesses and an influx of restaurants.
A few have mentioned they would like to have a super center, but most would be just as pleased with two or three grocers and the population to support them all. They’d like to see housing developments that contain moderate houses, not McHomes or starter mansions.
Some have mentioned that we could also use more apartment complexes.
They all seem to know what they don’t know and acknowledge they have a steep learning curve ahead of themselves. They are open to new ideas and ways of making the changes they want to see.
Each one felt that the city leadership would do better if it heard and listened more to its residents, if information flowed into city hall, not just out of it. They want to know what the residents want, need, think about. And they also believe that there are better ideas for Watonga, ideas that come from residents, not just themselves.
I feel encouraged and optimistic after speaking with these people. They aren’t politicians, they are the old school leaders, people like the founding fathers who believed that it was the obligation of the citizens to step in as leaders as needed.
Our rural towns need leadership if they are to survive and this fresh crop vying for the job seem up to the task. Make sure to do your part as citizens, too. Get out and vote. Next time, the job of leadership may fall at your door.