Reader encourages people to get involved
Jon Smith | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 2 months AGO
It takes a village. That was an unspoken subtheme at a public information meeting held Aug. 31 and chaired by MLPD Chief Dean Mitchell. The cooperative efforts between the Grant County Sheriff's Office and miscellaneous city police departments within the county were discussed. The proactive involvement of various youth groups to channel children toward more positive choices was highlighted and the need for us all to help make a difference in our communities was pointed out. Anyone who noticed the visible yet friendly police presence at our recent county fair saw that there were also police officers from other cities in Grant County. All part of a county wide gang task force that includes law enforcement from throughout Eastern Washington.
We want safe streets and kids who grow up respecting each other, their elders and the law. Some kids have no one in their family to teach them right and wrong, acceptable behavior, and how to be a responsible member of civilized society. That is where the "village" comes into play. That is you and me, the rest of us. Get involved somewhere. Be a role model, act the way you would have kids grow up to act. There are so very many positive activities and programs being offered by so few volunteers. An hour or two now and then really isn't that big a sacrifice to make if you can make a lifelong impact on a kid who needs guidance.
A positive impact could be made by anyone willing to volunteer at the youth to senior connection - a program run by Wanda Harrison. First through fifth graders from Lakeview school need tutoring in simple arithmetic and reading from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. There is an easy way to get involved. Please just do something.
ARTICLES BY JON SMITH
Reader encourages people to get involved
It takes a village. That was an unspoken subtheme at a public information meeting held Aug. 31 and chaired by MLPD Chief Dean Mitchell. The cooperative efforts between the Grant County Sheriff's Office and miscellaneous city police departments within the county were discussed. The proactive involvement of various youth groups to channel children toward more positive choices was highlighted and the need for us all to help make a difference in our communities was pointed out. Anyone who noticed the visible yet friendly police presence at our recent county fair saw that there were also police officers from other cities in Grant County. All part of a county wide gang task force that includes law enforcement from throughout Eastern Washington.
Reader appreciates apology
I was asked by city council member Karen Liebrecht if I could come to the Nov. 8 city council meeting. It was a very friendly and gracious phone call and she explained why she hoped I would come. She is a small business owner and because I admire her for many reasons, I agreed to attend. At the council meeting, when it came her turn to comment on non-agenda items, she spoke as to why she had asked me to be there. She said that she owed me an apology for failing to speak in my defense at a prior council meeting. There had been an uncharacteristic outburt of temper by a council member who threatened to have me removed from the building. When she finished, I asked if I could speak. A one word answer came from our mayor, Jon Lane. He just said, "Briefly." I thanked her and told her I surely didn't think she had failed me. With barely two years of council experience, it was not her place to apologize for another councilmember's tantrum. Especially since several week had passed with no apology from him.
Reader wants more study of constitution
I would hope that the nation with the largest English-speaking population would also print copies of the United States Constitution. Yeah. China has more English speakers than America. Dozens of other nations have used it as a basis for writing their own. And, though I've never seen one, I expect they do print them around the world as well. Is it by design that American schools do not teach it? I fear it is. After all, you won't complain about losing something if you're never taught it was yours. There are more humans who study and revere our constitution around the world than here in America. There are people who denigrate, dismiss and belittle those of us who do defend and respect our constitution. But the same document they are so disdainful of also protects their right to openly do so. They are one more sad example of our failed educational system. Like their other empty and baseless statements, you know, like all their plastic shopping bags have, "Made in China," stamped on them or that pocket constitutions are also made in China. I have six, all printed in America. Gotta love the irony. And there is nothing pretentious about my patriotism. This all brings to mind some other appropos comments. There is a book titled, "Arguing with Idiots," and a famous punch line about having a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent. But what fits best to reflect our area's most vocal liberal was said over 60 years ago. "Tell a big lie, tell it often enough, and eventually people will believe it." (Adolph Hitler)