Moment with the Mayor: What Makes a Community a Great Place to Live?

Hi Neighbours:

One of the questions I often wonder about is: What makes a community a great place to live?

My first answer is obvious: Relationships - family, friends, colleagues, and the availability of like-minded civic and faith groups. Do people have a sense of belonging? Is integrity visible in the community?

The second answer is: Fulfillment. Do we have opportunities to invest in ourselves, our families, our careers, etc.? How this happens is unexpected. For some, it is through helping to build community by coaching, doing horticulture, leading, taking classes, raising a family, starting a business, etc. Is there a sense of pride? Do people volunteer? Are there cultural opportunities?

The third answer is: Justice. Are there good bylaws to ensure good relationships? Is the economy sustainable? Do people feel secure? Do people feel free?

The final answer is: Beauty. Are there places and spaces that are visually appealing? Am I inspired? Are there opportunities to be active? Is the water safe? Is waste, both liquid and solid, being properly managed? Is there access to health care?

All of these attributes contribute to a good community. As we go forward, I am also wondering about Kindersley’s identity, and have been challenged to think about stereotypes of Kindersley. It could be said that Kindersley is a bit like the allegory of five blind persons each holding onto separate parts of an elephant and claiming, rightly, that the elephant is hard, soft, flexible, rigid, small, and huge. Each is right about the part of the elephant but wrong about the elephant. In our context, this applied to Kindersley stereotypes as well. There are many things that make up a community, and it is almost impossible to see and know all parts at once.

Do our actions and comments contribute to a Kindersley that has good relationships, opportunities for fulfillment, is just, and is beautiful? As we aspire to continue to make these things a part of Kindersley, we are building a great community.

These are, however, aspirations, and sometimes we fall short. So, I would like to leave you with a few questions: What generalization of Kindersley is wrong? What generalization of Kindersley would you like to change? How will you help change them?

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.