There’s been a lot of talk lately, on the street, online and in our Letters to the Editor about exercising our rights, particularly Freedom of Speech.
Some folks have expressed a reluctance to speak up for their convictions or beliefs. They worry they could be ostracized if what they have to say conflicts with someone else’s opinion. Or, they think what they have to say doesn’t matter because, in their minds, nothing ever changes.
The White County News gives our readers the space to have their say, on our opinion pages. We edit for grammar, and perhaps at times for length. We do not want to water down the meaning of anyone’s Letter to the Editor.
We also believe that here in White County, you can voice your concerns - whether you’re worried about the direction the county is taking on growth, if your city is repairing roads in a timely manner, or if your child is getting a quality education.
You can reach out to your White County Commissioner, your Cleveland City Mayor and Council members or Helen City Mayor and Commissioners, as well as your Board of Education members and state and federal elected officials. Their contact information can easily be found online, on their official county, city, school system, and state and federal websites.
These men and women run to serve. They expect their constituents to reach out to them. A big part of their job is to listen.
Consider attending a county commission, city council or school board meeting. We run a public meetings calendar each week and these entities regularly post calendars on their websites. Contact the county or city clerk’s office if you’d like to bring up a specific topic at an upcoming meeting. They can assist you.
We also believe it is up to you how engaged you will be in your local community.
We often publish when the White County Democratic Committee and the White County Republican Party meet in our community calendar.
There are civic organizations that would welcome you. They exist to better their communities and society-at-large. We have two Rotary Clubs, one that meets in Cleveland and one in Helen. There are local Kiwanis, Optimist and Lions Club chapters.
We have several veterans organizations that serve those who served, and allows these individuals to continue giving back to their community.
There are also numerous non-profits here in White County that strive to assist our neighbors when they are experiencing hardships. You can always lend them a hand.
So speak up, there are people here willing to listen.