Don’t Play Kick The Can

It is a sign of the times and I don’t envy the next generation of leaders that have to deal with the current state of running this region.In my youth, coming into the age of leadership roles, mid-30s we’ll say, I could see there were obstacles facing this state. However being a very non-partisan state and having the classic Nebraska gumption of rolling up your sleeves and making things happen was still very evident.Today, not so much. Things are divided by politics. It shouldn’t be that way and can’t be that way, especially in a rural setting like southeast Nebraska.If people don’t work together, you die on the vine. It is as simple as that in the world today.Jefferson County and Fairbury, face some big obstacles. The county is trying to figure out how to keep the ambulance department up and running. Farmers are dealing with drought. The city has been dealing with a changing infrastructure, housing issues and the like as a way of keeping Fairbury above water.These obstacles seem monumental, but I look through the pages of this publication and the 1970s seemed like a heck of a battle, as well. Inflation, high gas prices, political strife, an environment in flux, terrorism on the rise, the first signs of infrastructure stress all happened in the 70s. I was a kid and didn’t really understand those issues. Looking back, leaders didn’t get along, but made it through a crisis together, then complained about each other.The county commissioners have to deal with very tight budgets, doing more with less and trying to find new sources of income. The three commissioners are experienced and bring different aspects to the table in problem solving; but, let’s face it, they aren’t going to be around forever.We have a pretty young city council, relatively speaking, in Fairbury. This is good, young energy. However, younger people have families that take up a lot of time. On the flip side, older council members have more time, but have been doing it a while and may run out of proverbial gas with a barrage of issues that need to be examined.My children may or may not become community leaders in the future. Their generation, as a whole, however, need to prepare for those future battles. Pay attention today to what is going on, it will be your problem tomorrow.Some short-term solutions may not pan out in the long run. When the long run comes, it will be up to the youth of today to step up and either make decisions, solve problems, or kick the can down the road.Kids today are idealistic, so kicking the can down the road shouldn’t be a ‘go-to’ for them, but solving problems results in not being popular. I have noticed kids today want acceptance and validation, which in a community leadership role, you will never find. As my grandfather would say, “A pat on the back is only a few inches away from a kick in the can.” They love you one day, hate you the next.To all leaders of this generation and the next: don’t be afraid. Make the decisions that will lead us to tomorrow. Do what needs to be done, not what looks like fun.

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