Resolution: Become a good citizen

Here’s a worthy New Year’s resolution: Become a better citizen.

How? Here are some tips:

•Go to meetings. The Commercial Review publishes a citizens’ calendar on page 2 every day precisely so folks will know what their local government is up to and when. You don’t have to speak at a meeting. Start by listening, and when you don’t understand something, make a note and ask someone after the meeting is over. Chances are, they’ll be delighted by your interest.

•Read the newspaper. Of course, that sounds self-serving. But the fact is, there’s no better way to get a handle on the civic/civil workings of your community. And you aren’t fully a citizen of that community until you are informed. No newspaper is perfect, but it’s a great place to start.

•Ask questions. This doesn’t have to happen in the course of a public meeting. Lots of people are shy about speaking out in public. But you’ll never learn answers unless you ask questions.

•Be curious. If you drive by something every day and wonder about it, don’t let the matter drop. Ask around and find out what’s going on. Why is that property being neglected? Why isn’t there better lighting at this intersection? Who is responsible for this mess and why hasn’t it been cleaned up? Those are just examples; you’ll come up with plenty of questions on your own.

•If you read a lot of news and commentary on the internet, make a conscious effort to get it from as wide a variety of sources as possible. And be especially skeptical of those sources.

•Try to read opinions that you disagree with, even when they raise your blood pressure. It’s a great way to test and strengthen your own opinions.

•Seek out and study the public notice advertising in the newspaper. These are the ads that used to be referred to as “legals.” That’s because there’s a legal requirement to have them published. Why? Because they contain information the public needs to know about. Why is the type so tiny? Because the legislature sets the rules and it’s trying to save local government money. The legislature, by the way, also sets the price.

•Write a letter to the editor. You might want to put this one off until you’ve done your homework, but there comes a time when citizens need to step forward and voice their opinions. It’s not easy, and every opinion is likely to provoke an opposing view. But that’s okay. Not only is it okay, it’s important. 

•Accept the fact that we don’t all agree about everything. That should be obvious, but it’s harder than it sounds. Every once in awhile a kind of “group think” takes over, convincing us that we’re all on the same page when in fact we’re not.

•And finally, remember the Golden Rule. There’s never been a better bit of advice offered on this planet than to treat others the way you’d like to be treated. We all know that sounds easier than it is, but it’s still the best path forward.

Got all that? Fine. Now make your resolution. It should make for an interesting 12 months ahead. — J.R.