A few weeks ago, the City of Mission hosted a Capital Projects Open House which I didn’t want to go to. I had kickboxing that night and that new hobby was something I was having so much fun with. But as I stared at the post, I realized that although kickboxing happened weekly, this open house didn’t. I texted my coach that I’d see him next week as I walked into the event.Â
What I found out was how much I didn’t know about my own community. Here there were presentations on local conservation efforts, road plans, bike lanes, and playgrounds. It was a presentation on all the places and projects that would immediately and intimately impact my daily life. Everyone presenting was open to questions and concerns from passionate and critical citizens. This event showed me how the city was inviting people into the development process, and how exactly citizens can get involved. So maybe it’s time to follow the city’s official social accounts, see what events they put on, and fill in those surveys. The biggest lesson I learned at the open house is that a community can only be as strong as its citizens’ commitment to it.
