Be proactive, make a difference

It’s an election year and there are many good people who have put their names on ballots — locally and on the county, state and national levels.

In Pea Ridge, there are two people running for each of four positions — mayor, city clerk and two City Council seats.

In Garfield, there are three people vying for mayor and two council seats which have two candidates each.

In Pea Ridge, there are opportunities to serve with openings on the Planning Commission, Parks Commission and Library Board. All positions are filled by vote of the City Council upon recommendation of the mayor.

Repeatedly, people in city government have said increasing the number of seats on the City Council is not a good idea because they cannot get any interest in people serving.

Is there voter apathy? Do you care about the state of your community, your neighborhood, your city? Then quit complaining and step up.

People complain in the coffee shop and on social media sites, but far too many people do so without taking action. This year, four people who have not previously served in Pea Ridge have added their names to the ballot. They are trying to be a part of a solution instead of just complaining about perceived problems.

Now, the responsibility falls on your shoulders, dear reader. Register to vote. Vote. Volunteer to serve on a commission or board. Get actively involved in your community. Campaign for the candidate of your choice. Ask questions, read about the positions of the candidates. Attend public meetings.

There are hundreds of people who attend youth sporting events in this community (and thousands who attend larger events in the area such as concerts at the AMP and Razorback games). But seldom are there people in the audience at open government meetings.

Too often, people give credence to what they hear at the coffee shop or read on social media without checking the facts.

We live in a gloriously free country and have privileges not afforded to many people throughout the world. Thanks to the foresight of former public servants, there are laws mandating that government rules, agendas, minutes and policies are public and available to anyone who requests them. The Freedom of Information Act is not primarily for the media, it’s for you the citizen, the resident of this county, this city. You can, and should, learn first hand what policies govern your community.

“Many hands make the work light,” is an old adage that is as applicable today as it was years ago. If many would serve, there wouldn’t be as much pressure and responsibility on the few who do serve and have for years, if not decades.