What If In Mesquite?

In the United States of America and in the City of Mesquite--nothing great or big happens when no one dreams or has a vision. In the United States of America and in the City of Mesquite--real and effective change and renewal will not take place by simply putting our faith in what elected officials may or may not do.

Great things historically have happened in our nation and in our city when there has been a vision and when many average citizens come together and work to achieve these great things that need to take place!

Some great things have happened over the last 20 years under the leadership of previous city councils as well as the current city council. Each of these leaders have given years of their time to help make our city better. Project Renewal has been a great blessing for Mesquite. However, Mesquite faces monumental obstacles and challenges in the coming months. We must at some point accept, that elected officials or the mechanics of government cannot fix all our problems. However, an active citizenry working hard and partnering with government--can do some big things!

Mesquite is one of many cities around the country that has the status of a "First Suburb City." First Suburb Cities are suburbs that were once sprawling and growing communities--that are now slowly dying due to more and more citizens moving to new communities that get more state funds to build--while the older suburbs lose more and more taxpaying citizens and have to endure still having to find ways to rebuild older infrastructure such as streets, water/sewer lines, sidewalks, and the list goes continues. First Suburbs like Mesquite also faces a larger integrated population that requires time for new diversity and those not used to diversity to become more harmonious. First Surburbs struggle with more and more businesses moving out and more vacant commercial and residential buildings left to just sit and degrade the neighborhoods around them.

But what if--what if in Mesquite, Texas some of these things were to happen?

What if in every neighborhood--both older and lower income along with the more affluent neighborhoods--if residents in all those neighborhoods got together and said "We are taking control over our neighborhood and we will not allow degredation, poor code issues, and crime to run rampant!"

What if more parents around our city got more involved with their child's education and school work? Or if more adults who see kids who lack parental support at school--got involved and helped those children and mentored them?

What if a "Welcoming Committee" that included some of our local leading Hispanic leaders went out into each of our neighborhoods and apartment complexes and communicated to our large Mexican immigrant population that while we encourage them to seek legal immigration status--that we nonetheless love them and that we encourage them to attend PTA meetings, neighborhood crime watch meetings--and that we appreciate the positive things they bring to our city. If you go into almost any lower income, older neighborhood--you see many immigrants who have put a lot of time, hard work, and money into remodeling their homes and thats good for our neighborhoods! What if each of our Christian Churches recruited spanish speaking ministers or evangelists and really reached out to those immigrants--surely Jesus does not look at nation of origin or citizenship status when it comes to the gift of salvation?

There has been much controversy over the light rail transportation issue--however, its been put in place and I pray that many will benefit from it in terms of those folks who need a cheaper way to get to a job around the Metroplex. Time will tell as to what will happen--but let us pray for success. However, what about the many citizens who just need a cheaper or easier way to get around Mesquite? Our Senior Citizens often benefit from MTED--one of the great investments Mesquite has made over the years! What if we extended MTED or a couple of local only buses that were for the sole purpose of getting our citzens around Mesquite? What if Creek Crossing students could get a ride over to Eastfield or to Town East Mall? What if a family with no car in far North Mesquite wanted to attend a city council or school board meeting and could get a ride there and back?

What if we truly decided to crack down hard on crime in Mesquite? What if in each neighborhood or apartment complex where there are real problems and trouble makers--citizens along with our fine police officers worked closely together to squeeze out bad elements of trouble makers in each area of our city--and send the message to all who would come to Mesquite: "If you come to make a new life--we will welcome you with open arms. If you come to cause problems--YOU WILL BE VERY MISERABLE IN MESQUITE!"

What if more and more of our local businesses joined the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce and all worked more closely to serve and help each other and through these closer working relationships--there could be more economic growth and jobs created for Mesquite citizens? That includes, many of our local convenience stores owned by foreigners who have not thus far shown an interest in giving back to Mesquite--but are rather only interested in making money by selling smut magazines, lottery tickets, gambling machines that are supposed to not be real but really are, and now beer and wine. What if we made it clear to these parasites that they need to become more family friendly and become involved in the mainstream business community--or that we will go out and protest their little non-family friendly stores?!

What if close relationships could be worked out between local business owners and Eastfield College where employees and managers could receive affordable classroom training along with real hands on training. I am sure some of this already exists--but what if there could be a lot more communication between businesses and Eastfield and more of our local workers getting college training? The entire business community--and really the entire city would win from such relationships!

What if all of our local Christian churches decided to go all out to evangelize the neighborhoods around them--especially parts of our city where there is poverty and hopelessness--imagine what could happen?

What if in every neighborhood, more neighbors were rallied to get to know each other better and there were more block parties, more crime watches started, and more fellowship taking place. And thus the command Jesus gives to "Love Thy Neighbor" could truly be invoked!

Lastly, what if more and more of our Mesquite families who tend to think they can do nothing to make a difference--could truly see that by standing up and getting involved--by serving and volunteering--by voting--and by just caring a little more--how great and wonderful things could happen! And beyond that--even former Mesquite residents who grew up in our city who were blessed by their time here--could still help some and give back.

Oh, what if my fellow citizens and neighbors? What if?

These things and many more--I dream and hope for my hometown of Mesquite, Texas! We can do more! Let us all resolve to stand up and get involved and make a difference!

Remember the words of Solomon in Proverbs 29:18:

"Where there is no vision, the people will perish."

Grace and Peace,

Bruce Archer