Have an Idea? Start Here.

I believe there are good ideas in everyone. Problem is getting those ideas expressed and heard and then put into motion.

Not everyone is comfortable public speaking. Not everyone is comfortable writing. Not everyone has a lot of spare money or time. Not everyone has all the answers or solutions. But collectively, we do.

The problem I see now is that because 2C did not pass and 300 did, there is a mentality that there is only one way to go now, and that is what has everyone in an uproar. People feel like they were given only two options: raise our taxes or put our community and us at risk. That's what we plain folks call "an ultimatum."

There are a lot of creative solutions floating around the angry posts, and the problem is that the citizens are not done being angry (with good reason) to be calm enough to look at what they could do to bring forth other options for solving the budget crisis.

SO, thanks to The Gazette, people are venting. It's good to vent. Get it all out. When you feel you've gotten all your anger out, come here and think about what you as a citizen, business owner, community leader, etc. could do to be a part of a bigger solution.

Can you donate your time to talk to people? Are you a business owner who could make small adjustments in your business that would invest more money locally and still keep your staff? Be creative. You can do more than you think. Do you know other business owners you could start partnering with creatively that would cut corners without laying people off? Maybe you could donate some of what you do professionally that would be of some help. Think about you, your resources, your talents, your ability to reach out to and educate people, and every idea you have that would keep you afloat while still investing in the city and its ability to proper.

Slashing a budget is, really, such an easy and lazy answer. I'm sorry, but it is. There are way other options, but it requires thought, energy, reaching out to others, and making the solution a SHARED SUCCESS with the citizens of a commnity.