Dan Kemmis was an excellent choice for the series. The two major points
that immediately come to mind: I especially liked the idea of an
alternative to cynicism and promoting the ideal of civility. Too often,
because of all the bad news within the nation-state, we so easily lapse
into complaints and sarcasm (I do at least.). Also, as a father of a
teen-ager, I appreciated the discussion of mentoring our children. (And
Mary Read's insightful scolding of computer technology.) All that cynicism
about government and other traditional institutions of respect displayed at
our dinner tables across America rubs off on our children. How can we
expect them to be respectful of government to the point of wanting to
change the system if all we feed them is negativity?
I would have liked more specifics from Kemmis...more war stories about
Missoula. More instances when the best laid plans ran amuck but were
replaced by a beautiful accident. How does he relate and bring together
citizens that do not attend the Farmers's Market (more people do not
attend, than attend), or those who are not liberal or university-educated
or anti-growth or white, etc.? I'm still not sure how he relates to that
southern section of Missoula with all that sprawl. The most relevant advice
for our community was his warning about strip development. "Don't make the
same mistake Missoula made." How do we do that????? And how do we slow the
advancement of the big, dumb house-tombs creeping across the hills?
As far as next Thursday's session with Tom Hudson, here's an idea we should
discuss: Two years ago I brought up the idea to several people of an
Environmental Welcome Wagon. I want to expand that idea to a true Community
Welcome Wagon. Instead of offering coupons to Jiffy Lube and Taco Time,
present newcomers with bus schedules, where to recycle, a list of all
committees and organizations in the area, and a list of those "umbrellas"
Don Dillman spoke of; followup with phone calls and visits. We need to
teach citizens what it means to be part of this great area. Many people may
not know that there is an alternative to Wal-Mart and the malls, or that
they can arrange to have their doctors, lawyers, counselors, banks, etc.,
located within a two or three-block area. (This would lead to less driving
and more human interaction.)
Let's discuss how to involve that incredible energy that junior high and
high school students have, as well as the nursing home residents (They have
such an incredible wealth of stories to tell. They have perspective and
wisdom.) Here's another idea: a night of story telling at the Community
Center that crosses the lines of all ages.
Thanks again to everyone who organized the series.
Stephen Lyons
(The best numbers to reach me at are either 885-7463, or 334-7014.)