GREENSBORO BEND – Here is my question for you all. We all have our complaints, but what makes you want to live here? Is it what Greensboro has to offer? Our lake, woods and scenic views? Do you take advantage of the unique things Greensboro has to offer: the Rail Trail, Willey’s Store and Smith’s grocery store? Our Funky Fourth, Highland Lodge; beaches and trails, Barr Hill, and bird walks? Did your children grow up here and doing so can you see how the Greensboro culture and community shaped or shapes them?
Time has brought new ideas, new jobs, new opportunities and income to our community: Hill Farmstead Brewery, Highland Center for the Arts, Jasper Hill Farm. They have all influenced our town in different ways. We have a wealth of small businesses and workers: Teachers, loggers, farmers, garages that repair our cars. Greensboro residents who mow lawns, clean homes, plow driveways, pick up trash, paint houses, etc. We have inventors, writers, artisans and our share of characters. All of these things make up our culture. Is this culture important to you?
In all the years Judy and I have lived here this community has worked hard to maintain its character, allowing change and creating new opportunities, welcoming newcomers. For all the things we have loved about living here Judy and I have not always agreed with the changes nor how the leaders have run the town but what is different now than all the years we have been here is the lack of respect. The willingness of a few to complain but not be willing to talk things out, ask questions and seek middle ground. To use lawyers, threats and character assassination as weapons. To be willing to complain but not step-up to the plate and run for office, listen to and work with people with different ideas on a committee, bring to the table ideas for change with alternative answers.
We need to respect the work that has been done in the past (often forgotten or unknown) and try to work and live together as a community. We can do that over community meals; why not in other ways?
Judy and I loved this community and have volunteered to support our community in small and big ways. For the first time in our lives here we are wondering if we can stay. Yes, it is a small number of people, but loud voices count and there is a persistent truth in human history: regardless of truth or value or the size of your following, if you say it loudly enough, often enough, and with conviction, you can change the course of history and sometimes it is the end of something special. We have not always loved the course of Greensboro and Greensboro Bend changes but this time it feels very different.
Please remember when you hear what someone believes is the truth that it is always only part of the story. Sometimes when we take a breath it helps us to see the bigger picture. All I can say is it works for me.
Since writing this post, efforts are in progress to have conversations at the Highland Center for the Arts before the June 31 vote. I hope you can attend. Time and Date still to be determined.
