Constructive criticism of government is not only a right, but a responsibility of its citizens. However, it is also important to point out the good things that our leaders are doing. I would like to send some kudos to the Jackson City Council for the recent trend of involving the public in both conversation and action. We have seen committees formed on finding solutions for water and sewer, Oro de Amador land use and the workshop and subsequent committee to develop ideas and outreach to improve the downtown. It is easy for us to forget that council members have regular lives and jobs like the rest of us. They give up much of their spare time to make a difference; at least that is the hope of their constituents.
I attended the downtown workshop and was so excited to see the positive energy that was flowing. There were great ideas and, I have to say, it is the first time I have walked out of that room with a content smile on my face. The smile was not because I agreed with everything that was said, but it was a collection of people and ideas and an interest in working together to find solutions. We should not depend on council members to do all the work, but we do rely on them to use the resources of business people and residents to make plans happen. They are the directors who need to delegate to make the residents' dreams come true.
The groundwork has been laid and I will be interested to see if we have follow-through or another dead end. This truly is the city council's challenge. My ultimate dream is to see government realize the dreams of its people and to go to meetings to make those dreams a reality instead of trying to stop bad ideas. Good luck to the Jackson City Council.