Loss of Memory — or Interest?

For those who think a lack of involvement in the community by the community is a new problem, we present this editorial from 52 years ago. By Don Shearon First Published April 28, 1970Once again, we must play the role of Devil's Advocate, and chide some Fairburians for their seeming indifference toward a community endeavor.On Friday evening, representatives of nine groups met to discuss the preliminary plans for a proposed Jefferson County civic center. At least that many more groups had been invited to participate.We do not know whether those missing representatives suffered memory loss, or simply lack interest. We will give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume it was memory problems.Although the proposed project still is in its infancy, planning has reached the stage where broad community representation is essential. Further, the interest base has yet to be widened to reach out into other sections of the county; this is expected to be the next step, once a general working committee has been formed.Thus far, the Kiwanis club has carried the ball on this undertaking.Kiwanians have appeared before a large number of service and civic clubs, women's organizations and other groups, explaining what could be called the Kiwanis Dream. They have enlisted support and assistance from each group. At a later date, as mentioned earlier, similar aid will be sought in other sections of the county, since it is intended that the civic center would serve all Jefferson countians.Perhaps some of those organizations not represented Friday evening do not favor the project, although the Kiwanians report they have been well received wherever they have appeared. But assuming there is objection, even then it would seem there would be an advantage in being represented at these planning sessions.We feel the Kiwanis club is to be commended for serving as a catalyst to spark interest in what could be a very worthwhile county endeavor. The small group of men who have been directly responsible for whatever progress has been made thus far also has earn-ed a gold star insofar as we are concerned.There will be disagreement and dispute; to feel otherwise would be unrealistic. But it has been said repeatedly that the project is still in its earliest stage. The floorplan drawings commissioned by the Kiwanians are just preliminary, and are subject to revision or outright replacement.It seems to us that the next skull session on the Kiwanis Dream, slated May 22, should have broader representation. That, at least, is our hope.

Rick Siebert

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