Our Unique Community-Answer #7
The difference between our community and “the one down the road” was pointed out to me when I was trying to get us signed up with the University Extension’s Community Review process. Shelby Kern said that they were pretty excited about working with us because we will be the first community they have dealt with that does not have a mayor and other community government.
This difference has, in some ways, been a burden. Usually one expects things to happen in a community because it just happens. This is usually the result of having people in elected or paid positions to look after the needs of the community. These items might include water, sewer, road maintenance, library, playgrounds, community buildings, health, etc. Without such people in place, community members need to be more pro-active if these are things they want, or depend on other providers such as the county, or travel further to access the frills of society, or . . . .
UpRiver community members are a hardy group of people who are very independent, and have provided most of these amenities in the pioneering spirit through volunteerism, etc. This is a strength. One that I would surmise that they wish to retain. Autonomy is a prize to be cherished and the UpRiver people appear to hold on to the desire to forge ahead and be the captains of their own destiny.
Working on the community vision will be done at the grass-roots level without the need to deal with red tape and incumbent governmentalists who feel that they should be in total control of decisions and policy making. We are looking for more people to come out into the open to contribute to the community discussions so that all will have a voice. We also hope that those who join in will be open-minded and consider all viewpoints with equity so that the community will continue to display its characteristic personality when the vision comes to fruition.