Greenfield needs 'rejuvenation'
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To the editor:
In my previous letters, the statements referring to the present city council were not directed toward individuals, but the council as a whole. I am informed there are some good people on this council. If I offended any of you, that was not my intention. I apologize if I did; again, I was referring to the council as a team.
A team may consist of a few very good players and the others, not so good. In all probability, their record won’t be very good; a few good players cannot carry a team to a winning record. When this team is ranked poorly, unfortunately, it includes the good players also. However, I am sure some of you are very concerned for Greenfield.
I do honestly believe (as do others) in the past you have had inadequate leadership to allow Greenfield to deteriorate to its present state. As stated before, this did not happen overnight; it was in the making for way too many years.
It should be well understood a successful council requires all members working together for one goal: for the betterment of the community and its people.
Speaking of council, I find it difficult to believe when seats were available on the board there were no candidates to fill those positions. That is sad. I know you have intelligent, qualified people capable of doing a great job. Greenfield needs good people, interested in helping their village and willing to take the reins of leadership. It is essential to have qualified leadership working together for the best interest of the village. It will not only benefit the village, but your individual lives as well. Become a candidate!
I continue to receive very good comments concerning City Manager Betty Bishop. Two of those comments include “she is a hard, tireless worker” and “she is a Godsend for Greenfield.” I was delighted to receive a phone call from Betty recently. We discussed many things, including two committees she has organized. They are the G3 committee (greening greater Greenfield) and G3 PLUS (energy-efficient renewable energies).
I would suggest you contact Betty to learn more about these organizations and what they are doing. By the way, these committees are all volunteers; you may want to become involved. I also learned of the many activities Bishop is involved in to better Greenfield. She definitely is a “hard and tireless worker” and has a great concern for Greenfield. I personally respect and admire her for all she is trying to do. I also applaud those who have volunteered their services.
The word “pride” is partly defined as “having dignity and self-respect and having satisfaction in one’s achievements.”
Dignity and self-respect are self-explanatory, but it also merits application to other areas of one’s person. Dignity and self-respect are easily seen by others, not only in how you conduct yourself, but also in how you live and respect those around you, such as the property owners renting unsightly properties to undesirable people, drug addicts and those defrauding the welfare system, too lazy to work. The best description for them is a “tick on a dog’s back;” you and I are the dog. These people are void of any dignity or self-respect.
The respectable property owners are particular who they are renting to. They are respectful, as are their rental properties.
I know many people in Greenfield who I have admiration and respect for, as they exhibit that rightful kind of pride desirable in all of us. As I drove around Greenfield, I observed many properties that were neat, clean and very well-maintained. I did not have to meet those people personally to know they had pride – the appearance of their property showed it. The pride
displayed by these folks is an example for those not having any; unfortunately, they are many. Those lacking pride have contributed greatly to the stigma attached to Greenfield.
When people say negative things of Greenfield, that automatically attaches a stigma not only to the village itself, but to all the people living there. Why? Because it is your village, and you live there.
When negative remarks are directed at Greenfield, they are referring to the entire community, good or bad. I’ve heard these remarks, they don’t categorize those statements, they are made as a whole. This stigma can be removed.
Isn’t Greenfield the town were were all proud of at one time – you know, the one referred to as “quaint?” Isn’t Greenfield home of the most beautiful, historical and unique school in the country, Edward Lee McClain High School? And above all, doesn’t Greenfield still have some great and wonderful people that have pride? I believe so! I believe these people have
the intellect to overcome the problems of the village and revive this once quaint town.
Can Greenfield be rejuvenated? I believe without a doubt it can. It won’t be overnight, but it can be done. How? By community involvement.
With the kind of leadership I mentioned earlier. The community must be concerned and involved in village affairs, supporting and encouraging wherever possible. Attending village council meetings voicing your concerns and suggestions to your council, volunteer where you think you can be of help. Encourage your neighbor to get involved. Anything to help. The most important thing to remember is this: before your village can be rejuvenated, the people (you) must be rejuvenated by becoming concerned and involved with where you live.
When I began my “campaign” here to improve the community, it wasn’t easy. People in the south are difficult and set in their ways, and many don’t want to see change of any kind. I also had a difficult time with the governing bodies to accomplish some projects. One of the most exasperating problems in the beginning was recruiting help. I got so sick of hearing excuses from people. But I didn’t give up; slowly but surely things started improving, and eventually I won over the governing bodies and the people, at least most of them. Many good things were accomplished. As I stated, it wasn’t easy! After church one day, a gentleman came up to me and said, “You know, we sure look a lot better around here, thanks to you,” and he is “a local!”
The local sheriff once stated, “Roosa is a nice guy, but he’s too persistent.” I was taught persistence is a good virtue to have, and I still believe that. Persistence is of great value when utilized in the proper way.
You may ask why a retiree from Ohio would come down here and get involved. Why? This was to be our home. We became concerned and involved with our community, and you know what? You may also ask why I am “sticking my nose” in Greenfield’s business.
As I have stated in my previous letters, I have a love and passion for Greenfield and Edward Lee McClain High School. Because I do not live there does not erase those facts. My parents are gone, my son and granddaughter are also gone. They are no longer in my presence. Does that mean I no longer love them? Of course not. The same applies to Greenfield and Edward Lee
McClain, the greatest high school in the country. Almost a century old, she still stands tall, majestic and proud. Don’t you think she deserves the town she once had? I do!
You have the talent. Put it to good use. After all, isn’t this your home?
I honestly believe you have a very determined, talented and resourceful individual in Betty Bishop. I urge you to support and encourage her. If there are council members that are caring and concerned, I urge you to do them likewise. Above all, become concerned and involved with Greenfield. In the end, you will be glad you did! You may find someone saying to you, “you know, we sure look a lot better around here, thanks to you.” And that will be your payment in full!
Sincerely,
Larry W. Roosa
Newport, Tenn.[[In-content Ad]]
In my previous letters, the statements referring to the present city council were not directed toward individuals, but the council as a whole. I am informed there are some good people on this council. If I offended any of you, that was not my intention. I apologize if I did; again, I was referring to the council as a team.
A team may consist of a few very good players and the others, not so good. In all probability, their record won’t be very good; a few good players cannot carry a team to a winning record. When this team is ranked poorly, unfortunately, it includes the good players also. However, I am sure some of you are very concerned for Greenfield.
I do honestly believe (as do others) in the past you have had inadequate leadership to allow Greenfield to deteriorate to its present state. As stated before, this did not happen overnight; it was in the making for way too many years.
It should be well understood a successful council requires all members working together for one goal: for the betterment of the community and its people.
Speaking of council, I find it difficult to believe when seats were available on the board there were no candidates to fill those positions. That is sad. I know you have intelligent, qualified people capable of doing a great job. Greenfield needs good people, interested in helping their village and willing to take the reins of leadership. It is essential to have qualified leadership working together for the best interest of the village. It will not only benefit the village, but your individual lives as well. Become a candidate!
I continue to receive very good comments concerning City Manager Betty Bishop. Two of those comments include “she is a hard, tireless worker” and “she is a Godsend for Greenfield.” I was delighted to receive a phone call from Betty recently. We discussed many things, including two committees she has organized. They are the G3 committee (greening greater Greenfield) and G3 PLUS (energy-efficient renewable energies).
I would suggest you contact Betty to learn more about these organizations and what they are doing. By the way, these committees are all volunteers; you may want to become involved. I also learned of the many activities Bishop is involved in to better Greenfield. She definitely is a “hard and tireless worker” and has a great concern for Greenfield. I personally respect and admire her for all she is trying to do. I also applaud those who have volunteered their services.
The word “pride” is partly defined as “having dignity and self-respect and having satisfaction in one’s achievements.”
Dignity and self-respect are self-explanatory, but it also merits application to other areas of one’s person. Dignity and self-respect are easily seen by others, not only in how you conduct yourself, but also in how you live and respect those around you, such as the property owners renting unsightly properties to undesirable people, drug addicts and those defrauding the welfare system, too lazy to work. The best description for them is a “tick on a dog’s back;” you and I are the dog. These people are void of any dignity or self-respect.
The respectable property owners are particular who they are renting to. They are respectful, as are their rental properties.
I know many people in Greenfield who I have admiration and respect for, as they exhibit that rightful kind of pride desirable in all of us. As I drove around Greenfield, I observed many properties that were neat, clean and very well-maintained. I did not have to meet those people personally to know they had pride – the appearance of their property showed it. The pride
displayed by these folks is an example for those not having any; unfortunately, they are many. Those lacking pride have contributed greatly to the stigma attached to Greenfield.
When people say negative things of Greenfield, that automatically attaches a stigma not only to the village itself, but to all the people living there. Why? Because it is your village, and you live there.
When negative remarks are directed at Greenfield, they are referring to the entire community, good or bad. I’ve heard these remarks, they don’t categorize those statements, they are made as a whole. This stigma can be removed.
Isn’t Greenfield the town were were all proud of at one time – you know, the one referred to as “quaint?” Isn’t Greenfield home of the most beautiful, historical and unique school in the country, Edward Lee McClain High School? And above all, doesn’t Greenfield still have some great and wonderful people that have pride? I believe so! I believe these people have
the intellect to overcome the problems of the village and revive this once quaint town.
Can Greenfield be rejuvenated? I believe without a doubt it can. It won’t be overnight, but it can be done. How? By community involvement.
With the kind of leadership I mentioned earlier. The community must be concerned and involved in village affairs, supporting and encouraging wherever possible. Attending village council meetings voicing your concerns and suggestions to your council, volunteer where you think you can be of help. Encourage your neighbor to get involved. Anything to help. The most important thing to remember is this: before your village can be rejuvenated, the people (you) must be rejuvenated by becoming concerned and involved with where you live.
When I began my “campaign” here to improve the community, it wasn’t easy. People in the south are difficult and set in their ways, and many don’t want to see change of any kind. I also had a difficult time with the governing bodies to accomplish some projects. One of the most exasperating problems in the beginning was recruiting help. I got so sick of hearing excuses from people. But I didn’t give up; slowly but surely things started improving, and eventually I won over the governing bodies and the people, at least most of them. Many good things were accomplished. As I stated, it wasn’t easy! After church one day, a gentleman came up to me and said, “You know, we sure look a lot better around here, thanks to you,” and he is “a local!”
The local sheriff once stated, “Roosa is a nice guy, but he’s too persistent.” I was taught persistence is a good virtue to have, and I still believe that. Persistence is of great value when utilized in the proper way.
You may ask why a retiree from Ohio would come down here and get involved. Why? This was to be our home. We became concerned and involved with our community, and you know what? You may also ask why I am “sticking my nose” in Greenfield’s business.
As I have stated in my previous letters, I have a love and passion for Greenfield and Edward Lee McClain High School. Because I do not live there does not erase those facts. My parents are gone, my son and granddaughter are also gone. They are no longer in my presence. Does that mean I no longer love them? Of course not. The same applies to Greenfield and Edward Lee
McClain, the greatest high school in the country. Almost a century old, she still stands tall, majestic and proud. Don’t you think she deserves the town she once had? I do!
You have the talent. Put it to good use. After all, isn’t this your home?
I honestly believe you have a very determined, talented and resourceful individual in Betty Bishop. I urge you to support and encourage her. If there are council members that are caring and concerned, I urge you to do them likewise. Above all, become concerned and involved with Greenfield. In the end, you will be glad you did! You may find someone saying to you, “you know, we sure look a lot better around here, thanks to you.” And that will be your payment in full!
Sincerely,
Larry W. Roosa
Newport, Tenn.[[In-content Ad]]