August 10, 2006

EDITORIAL

Community involvement is key

There has been nothing easy about the Village’s recent budget problems. As Council members spent much of the past six months learning about complex Village financial needs, they sometimes seemed very alone. Few people came to Council meetings and you couldn’t blame Council members if they suspected that perhaps no one else cared. And when villagers crowded the meeting room in the past week, galvanized by concerns that the Village might cut beloved human services, the mood sometimes seemed tense and distrustful.

And the journey has only begun. Like many municipalities, Yellow Springs will continue to be dogged by financial challenges. Council members took a significant step Monday night by approving a $8.36 mill levy for the November ballot, but their efforts will continue the next few months as they launch their levy campaign, and villagers will continue to grapple with how the levy will affect their lives.

But from these difficulties, good things have come. We all have busy lives, and it’s hard to find time for one more meeting. But over the past two weeks, many villagers found the time to attend Council meetings, and found the courage to speak their concerns. These Council meetings seemed to crackle with energy, as one person after another stood up to speak of the things about Yellow Springs that they love and fear they could lose. They spoke from the heart, saying how much they value this town. It was moving to hear.

At Monday night’s Council meeting, someone asked if there aren’t ways to use this community concern to address the Village’s problems. Some of those efforts have begun, as pool enthusiasts have stepped up to help address the Gaunt Park pool concerns. But the Village could use much more from its residents.

Council members need to be commended for all their hard work the past few months. And they need to be commended for listening, and for offering at Monday’s meeting a budget approach that seems to secure both human services and a more extensive program for maintaining infrastructure. Village Manager Eric Swansen also needs to be commended for his considerable efforts at presenting complex information in a clear and organized way.

The villagers who made the time to take a stand, whatever that stand was, need to be commended as well. And for those who didn’t quite make it this time, there will be another time coming up soon. As Council member Judith Hempfling stated on Monday, the levy brings into sharp relief the struggle with affordability that many villagers face. And the levy monies earmarked for economic development bring up questions about what sort of development is right for the town. These are critical issues that will require the best efforts of those who love Yellow Springs.

Yellow Springs is a little town that is struggling financially but that is rich in smart, creative and engaged people. It’s hopeful and heartening to see villagers bringing their passion and energy to the table.

—Diane Chiddister