CHANGING AMERICA BY CHANGING OUR COMMUNITIES

We as individuals may not be able to have a lot of direct influence on what goes on in Washington. We may not be able to stop or start health care legislation. We may not be able to determine whether or not we will have financial reform on Wall Street. We may not able to determine how foreign policy will be ran. Now I am not saying we as American citizens and voters do not have a say--but typically it has to be a pretty big collective say.

What we can do however to make our nation better--is go to work to change and better the municipalities and towns in which we live. In Mesquite, Texas where I have lived since I was a small boy, we have a wonderful city. Many of my friends I grew up with who have since left Mesquite after high school--would surely have to admit that in many ways--Mesquite was good to them. Mesquite has certainly been good to me. Scripture teaches us that to those who have been given much, much is expected. And while Mesquite is still the wonderful city it was when I was a boy growing up--its not without its challenges and struggles!

We just had a very heated city council race. And while I did not like the outcome of that race, I am glad that people felt the need to actually get out and vote. Sadly though, we can barely get 2000 votes in a city of a 140,000 plus people with over 75, 000 registered voters I believe. (My figures could be a bit off). And that kind of apathy, shows us just why we have the problems we do in Mesquite--APATHY!!!! And even those who vote--often times have apathy--but just expecting the elected officials and the city staff to take care of everything--and taking no responsibility themselves for addressing problems and needs our city has.

I am so proud of the partnership between The Mesquite Ministerial Alliance and the City of Mesquite in their "Addressing Mesquite" day each year! Where Christians go out with the help of the City, to help fix up homes that are in need of repair and clean up. What is stopping churches all over town from doing this more without having to wait for a special day to do it?

What is stopping citizens from starting crime watches in their neighborhoods--and not just rely on the police department? When we ban together in numbers, we have power! The Mesquite Police Department has a great set of community officers that help start crime watch programs!

What is stopping each Mesquite resident from taking advantage of the City's Recycling Program and helping the environment and helping the City make a little money which in turn helps off set costs when the city's budget is tigher than ever due to the slowly healing but still struggling economy?

What is stopping each Mesquite resident from volunteering in a number of worthy endeavors such as PTA or local charities like Mesquite Social Services or Sharing Life? Or my church, At The Cross is always looking for volunteers to help and serve the poor and the forgotten of Mesquite!

What is stopping more Mesquite residents from applying for positions on some of our local city boards and commissions? It is a great way to help our city goverment and to better learn how the various city departments work.

What is stopping more business owners from joining the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, a wonderful organization that helps keep our local economy strong?

What is stopping us from getting more proactive in stopping crime and ugliness at places like Town East Mall, where many of our citizens will no longer shop? For us to enjoy our nice parks, our police and fire protection, potholes being fixed and more--we need every nickel, dime, and quarter from our sales tax revenue--and TERA (Town East Retail Area) is a very critical part of our tax base.

These are but a few things we can do to better our city and ultimately, the quality of life of our families.

Yes, lets get more involved in our local elections. Yes lets communicate more with our local elected officials. BUT LETS EACH OF US--ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GO TO WORK AND DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Whose ready to join me and go to work to better our city?