Editorial

Time to get involved with CIP program

Monday, June 21, 2004

Would you like to see the people of the Great Plains work together to make their communities better? Would you like to see city and village leaders unite with community organizations for ongoing improvement projects?

The response should be resounding: Yes. Absolutely, yes.

This is our home. These are our hometowns. By working together, we can make "The Good Life" even better.

A good place to start for all towns -- large and small -- are inspiring and competitive programs on the state and national level. You've probably heard about the programs before, but it's time to take a fresh look and use them to get our communities on the move. On the state level, the motivational organizations are called the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (CIP for short), and, in Kansas, the statewide community betterment program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Commerce.

Beyond that, there's a national community competition called "All American Cities."

Too high to shoot for? No it's not. Next to our faith and our families, communities are the cornerstone of our lives. This is where we live and make a living. It makes so much sense to join forces for projects of mutual benefit for our friends and neighbors.

We're bringing this up now because communities need to get a head start if they plan to get serious, and organized, about community improvement.

We know it can happen because it already has. Back in the 1960s, the late Ken McGooden led an improvement effort in McCook which resulted in statewide recognition in the Nebraska Community Improvement Program. Many other area towns have been recognized in other population categories.

But, in recent years, interest has lagged. We've been so busy leading our everyday lives -- and dealing with tough community issues -- that we haven't taken time for an organized community improvement program.

It's time that changes. We're poised for a breakthrough. Let's get together in communities across the Golden Plains to either form improvement committees, or take on improvement as a major project for existing organizations.

The people of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas have so much to offer. They have experience and ideas. Now it's time to share those thoughts and talents to uplift our communities.

Start thinking about it now, with a goal of having improvement committees rolling by September. Who knows? In 2005, your town could be one of those honored on the state and national level, but -- even more important -- you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped make your town a better place to live, work and raise families.

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