Vision
I recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Star in answer to the Bixler’s grandiose plan for Hot Springs. I was recently talking with Catherine and the issue of negativity came up. I told her that since I drove into this town and was looking to make this our home, I never, ever felt anything negative here, and I seem to be super-sensitive about a lot of things in this regard that have added much positive direction to our lives.
During my adult life, I have lived in many small towns, and when you live IN town (as opposed to out of town) especially, and if you are involved in any type of interaction w/the townfolk, there will be the whole spectrum of individual thoughts and beliefs, and by God, each of those people are RIGHT!! And since there is a smaller population in these towns, all this becomes quite obvious and appears prevalent, which I suppose a person could misconstrue as negative. It’s just small town stuff - they all have it, it has been and will always be there.
So with this in mind, when we moved here and after having many experiences in small towns, both negative and positive, we find this town to be just as I said in my letter. We both LOVE it, just the way it is, although it would be nice to have those empty storefronts filled, or at least the owners to fix them up to look decent for the time being. It would also be nice to have those old trailers replaced, but that probably won’t happen any time soon, or to have trash picked up in yards, etc. But it is very much a part of what Hot Springs IS, just by virtue that it is there, and has been for many years, I would assume. It is a representation of a cross-cut of America on a small scale.
I certainly resent people who breeze into town, stay a few months, then read in the paper what they just know we “need”, and say such negative things themselves about the way things are, it makes me wonder what it would look like after they do their thing, and then most likely leave to do the same elsewhere. We all have to share this space, and in my experience I can tell this is being done effectively. Who wants another McTown or huge resort anyway??!!! Taxes would go up as well as housing and cost of living in general, people would be displaced, and there would be a snooty type of atmosphere which I guarantee very few would like. I would be looking for another place to live, one such as this is now with a bit of sprucing up.
I read further in the paper, George Kotti’s Chamber View, and was so pleased to read what I already knew! That there are positive things happening, that people really DO care! People who will donate motel rooms to foreign tourists, and the LaRives who put on the Easter egg hunt for the kids when the Chamber or Town could not afford it. I believe we have an awesome little burg here; all we may need to get what we need is a bit more positive attitude; it’s infective, as is negativity. Let’s go for the beautiful vision of what we want Hot Springs to be! Dream it, work for it, and it will be there for everyone.
Oh, and my husband, Ray, this blog’s computer master, had a wonderful idea if anyone would like to spread the word, for a new business in town, one that could be of benefit year-round. Since we are situated so close to the Mickelson Trail, wouldn’t it be great to have one of downtown’s empty buildings transformed into a bicycle store where bikes can be purchased, repaired, and even rented? I think it’s a great thought! Anyone out there “in the know” about bikes, interested in opening a new business?
March 30th, 2008 at 6:40 am
I agree with you. One of the wonderful things about this country is that there are many place to live, prosper and thrive, depending on your inclinations and desires. Some people see Hot Springs as a “fixer upper,” and they have vision to do the fixing up–they do not, however, take the pulse of the community to see if it wants or needs to be “fixed up.” Regrettably, in this country, we seem to have lost the ability to argue about issues that really matter to us; we quarrel or name call instead. Arguing involves the process of reasoning to establish or refute a position by the use of evidence. When you enter into an argument, you should do so with an open mind, always willing to have your position changed if your opponent presents more convincing points. Precious little of that goes on nowadays.
Our family is moving to Hot Springs in June. We are moving here because this place makes my wife’s heart sing. We have been visiting for several years, have made many good friends, have bought one of those old sandstone stores (and intend to make it look “decent”), and will open a quilt shop/creative sewing center. We love Hot Springs, and don’t come with an intention or desire to change anything.
We look forward to being a part of the community and watching it develop. Sure, it’s a challenge to run a small business in a small town, but it can be done successfully–especially if you start up with reasonable expectations, some knowledge of entrepeneurship, and a willingness to work with the people of the town in assessing their needs.
If there is a dialogue about the future of this community, I welcome the opportunity to be a part of it. I regret that I have not been able to participate in the Horizons process, but I will try to do so when we arrive. There are a number of aspects of it to which I think I could offer some positive effort.