Does the Town you live in actually listen to citizens ideas on how to make the town better?

Answer 1

Only way to tell is if you attend every town board meeting and stay abreast of every idea that is submitted.

In general, I think our board here tries to listen, they just have the enormous challenge of wading through all the ill-founded or singular complaints to reach the genuine ideas that actually provide solutions and serve the greater good.

It's no easy task...and it's one that requires stupendous amounts of patience.

Answer 2

I live near Lancaster in a small town that has a heroin problem because the turnpike takes you to Philadelphia quickly and there is nothing for the young people to do.
When I was in Seaside, California, there were a few Eagles retired football players and Ron Johnson Regie White were two of them. they are "Eagles from God". They opened a boys and girls club in an area of town that had hookers and drugs like a roach reunion. Anyway, there were many womne who could not work and children alone at home and hungry every day. The boys and girl's club was $10 a year membership and the kids went after school and ate, used computers, got tutored, love and coaching in sports by the retired athletes, and mentorship that was priceless..they gave turkeys out free to kids on Thanksgiving and gifts on christmas, and shoes and clothes to the kids who had none...If my kids didn't go I would not have made it through RN school. I had 3 kids when my husband abandoned us...I never knew a town like that could be saved but a few years later I went back and someof the single mothers went to college and the kids were in sports instead of the drugs, there was a clean street, and it was unbelievable!
When I moved here and worked as a nurse and baught my own home...I met a woman who owned the phone company and we very wealthy. I told her about this and asked her if she knew the social problems. I told her she could be a hero if she could sponsor a program like this and let the state and government help. She said she heard there were homeless children living under the streets in the sewer but did not know what building we could use and it would get expensive. She blew it off.
Next year, after a few teens killed their families locally (really there was 4 families murdered by their teen aged sons), my daughter met a man and his girlfriend who opened up a cafe called Vitale cafe in Ephrata. they wanted to help the community by making it teen friendly. my girl asked about internet access and ice cream. then they descided to make Friday a night when any band could get exposure free by performing in the cafe on a stage in the front window. well, the teens loved that and they hang out there and they make friends and they use the internet and it is wondeful. I admit, not like the changes made by Ron Johnson and Reggie, but a few steps in the right direction is good. I bet Ron is still there daily and signing cards and balls for the little boys, tutoring, and talking to moms who are in crisis. I went to him once when I had trouble and he was like a councellor. I had a friend who had a daughter who had cerebral palsey and she also was able to get help from the boys and girls club when she needed a letter of recommendation for a job. One time my son was in trouble because he baught a surf board that was stolen. Ron wrote him a letter to take to the judge saying he was a good influence on the boys at the club daily and a good kid.
this is a man with vision. there should be one in every city. It is like the Bible story where God said "If there is one good man I will not destroy the city of Sadom and Gamorrah." Thank God there were some good men in Seaside.

Answer 3

The one I live in does. Most do not. But I live in a small town and we really listen to each other. And we all know where the town councilman lives! LOL

Answer 4

at the local level most politicians do the bidding of those who elect them however when they go to the state level they go to the capitol and the federal level Washington which makes it harder to be face daily with their representation votes and more available to lobbyist and special interest .I feel that in 2006 all politicians should stay home and do their business via computer they could see ,discuss and vote via computer and would not be so available to lobbyist which would give us a system harder to tamper with and more accountable to those who elect .

Answer 5

I believe most towns have public meetings where citizens are welcome to attend. Usually anyone is allowed to speak. You could try going and bringing up whatever issues you have.

Answer 6

make it better??? we don't even have a set of stop lights in the town!

Answer 7

Absolutely, that is why I will never leave this town.

Answer 8

i think they do somewhat. for example they were going to put a dump site in enoree here where i live, and enough people were angry about it, that they would'nt allow it. i live in sc by the way

Answer 9

No they don't. They just raise taxes to keep the teacher's union happy.

Answer 10

Some of them.